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Hidden Scenario: Even Weapons Have Stories

 

Clear conditions: Defeat the horde of monsters with a designated weapon decided by Star stream

 

Difficulty: C

 

Reward: 600,000 coins, newfound proficiency with the designated weapon.

 

Failure: -

[Your group's designated weapons are Guns.]

"This is such a lame scenario," Lee Jihye drawled, looking around the white room they were transported to.

"Any scenario that pays you is far from a lame scenario," Han Sooyoung said wisely, already playing with the revolver that materialised in the air above her.

"Yeah, but still... guns?" Jung Heewon carefully weighed the unfamiliar weapon in her hands, "I miss my sword already."

"Did Dokja-ssi predict this?" Yoo Sangah asked.

Kim Dokja did not take his eyes off the gun he was given; fingers carefully tracing the patterns the metal made. There was a scenario that involved switching weapons and being placed in a challenging situation, a method to test the incarnation's proficiency with different weapons.

"I did not think it'd be a gun."

Whatever weapon they were given had a story associated with it. Which, in turn, had a different constellation associated with it. A pretty good strategy for the dokkaebi to attract constellations from different continents, who would jump at the opportunity for their fable to expand. But what fable was a gun even associated with...?

[Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband is complaining about the system's choice of the weapon]

[Constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire wonders if any monsters are vulnerable to guns.]

"There are vulnerable spots in every monster..." Kim Dokja murmured to himself.

"Dokja-ssi. I can't use any of my skills," Lee Hyunsung confessed, "I don't think brute force can keep the monsters away anymore,"

"No." Agreed Kim Dokja, as the others also checked their attribute window. Yes, the reduction of stats and skills unrelated to the weapon they were given was also a part of the scenario. There was no way they could cheat their way out of it.

"Hey, what's this? Even my stats are reduced." Han Sooyoung groaned, "What did I invest so many coins in my body for?"

"We must stay a safe distance from the monsters, then." Lee Hyunsung said, "Guns are a good weapon for long-distance fights, but they are not very good at defence. So we should find a safe spot to hide before — yes?" He interrupted himself when he saw everyone staring at him.

"Hyunsung-ssi seems very familiar with guns." Yoo Sangah chirped up.

"Ah." Kim Dokja smiled as Lee Hyunsung blushed, "The military gives everyone a thorough teaching on how to handle them, yes?"

"Th-that's right. Dokja-ssi knows how to use them, too. And I'm sure everyone here will learn quickly--"

Click. Kim Dokja glanced to his right. Yoo Joonghyuk, who hadn't spoken since the start of this weird scenario, clicked open the slide of his handgun to examine the bullets. "... these things could never pierce through a monster's flesh."

"There are vulnerable spots in every monster." Kim Dokja assured as the company members turned their attention to their new weapons, "For example, the eye of a Cyclopes--"

"Cyclopes are defenceless creatures if you cripple them enough. Even their flesh is not that good of a defence,"

"Well, we are to fight them with guns, aren't we? Unlike swords, there is a limited amount of times we can attack, so we must be efficient."

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned like the idea of limiting the number of times he could attack personally offended him. He turned his gaze back to his handgun, trying to click back the offending bullet into place. Kim Dokja watched as he seemed to struggle a little. After all, swords were to be handled very differently than guns. He couldn't think of a single regression where Yoo Joonghyuk fought with a gun.

As he watched, he was reminded of his own time in the military, when he was designated a rifle on the frontlines and was suddenly expected to have a perfect aim and stance when firing at the target. Oh, his instructor at that time reminded him a little of Kyrgios...

"Joonghyuk-ssi, let me help." Lee Hyunsung said as he approached the silently floundering Yoo Joonghyuk.

Ah, well. He was a protagonist all the same. Yoo Joonghyuk was a quick learner before anything . He listened carefully to Lee Hyunsung's speech about how to load and unload the gun, as well as the stance required when firing .

"Ah, sorry. I'm sure Joonghyuk-ssi already knows how to handle it better than me," He didn't.

[The Hidden Scenario will begin in five minutes]

Kim Dokja was glad the kids were occupied elsewhere with Gong Pildu and Lee Seolhwa. He didn't exactly want them to use guns and didn't think they'd be able to work with that for a weapon.

Kim Dokja heard a faint noise, like a huge bull snorting. The others sensed the monster too, and quickly stood by their usual formation . Kim Dokja wasn't sure if the usual places would work this time, after all, all of them were new to guns, except for him and Lee Hyunsung.

The air shimmered and changed shape as the shadow of something fell on the party. The monster was so tall that even Kim Dokja's Demon King of Salvation form would be dwarfed. A shadow of long horns crept onto the floor behind them, as the monster let loose a ground-shaking roar.

"That's a Minotaur...!"

"Get behind, everyone!" Lee Hyunsung shouted. The Minotaur lifted one muscular leg and soon the floor Kim Dokja was standing on a second ago was splintered. The tiles cracked and there were shouts as every member focused on a different part of its body.

"You, step back."

Kim Dokja's eyes naturally fell on Yoo Joonghyuk-- stepping forward as his coat fluttered theatrically behind him-- as he readied his new weapon when he froze. "Yoo Joonghyuk, no!"

He rushed over and snatched the offending semi-automatic from his hands. In the background, the Minotaur's bellow drowned out the sound of gunshots as one of Lee Hyunsung's bullets landed on its cheek. Kim Dokja stared at the other party members, focusing on their grip. Damn it, they really did not have enough time to master how to handle a gun.

"What are you doing, you fool?"

"I might ask you the same. What are you doing, keeping the gun so close to your face?"

"It is called aiming, you idiot."

"That is like asking the pistol to punch you. Unlike swords and arrows, these recoil . The fire could have burned your eyes,"

Yoo Joonghyuk's glare only intensified as he made to snatch the gun back. Kim Dokja was about to return the gun when a memory from a line on Ways of Survival surfaced. "Say, do you know the right way to hold a gun?"

"Of course I do, you fool. Now give that back,"

"Show me how you hold the gun, then." Kim Dokja threw the gun and Yoo Joonghyuk caught it heftily.

The Minotaur seemed offended by the lack of interest displayed by the other members, who were all trying to shoot in their own ways. Kim Dokja caught a few mistakes here and there. Han Sooyoung's light grip caused the gun to recoil and smack her nose when she fired. Yoo Sangah had good aim and stance, but she accidentally burned her hands during her second attack and hissed.

Lee Jihye shouted, "Oh my god, this feels like a video game!" and excitedly rained down bullets on the Minotaur using her rifle, most of it off the mark. Jung Heewon was also doing well, sneaking up behind the Minotaur and jumping to tackle its neck, holding on with her legs. She stuck her large rifle into its nose and fired. The Minotaur bellowed in pain and she quickly fell off, holding her bruised shoulder where the recoil had hit her.

"I'll finish it." Yoo Joonghyuk shoved Kim Dokja, wisely using both hands to hold his gun after Han Sooyoung's spectacle. Kim Dokja narrowed his eyes and once again snatched the gun away.

" What do you think you are doing? " Yoo Joonghyuk snapped before Kim Dokja could say anything.

"Saving you from a hammer bite." Kim Dokja scowled. This time, Han Sooyoung heard him.

"A what bite?" She groaned, still trying to curb her bleeding nose, "Fuck this shit, I want my knife. At least it doesn't stab me back when I use it--ack!"

The three pulled back as the Minotaur trashed around, bellowing in pain while holding its nose. Its eyes opened wide and let loose a roar of rage, incoherently trying to identify the one that shot its nose. Lee Hyunsung took the opportunity and aimed directly at its eyes-- and fired. The monster screamed, large hands coming up to clutch the place where the bullet lodged itself, then crumpled into a pile of dust.

[B Grade monster, The Minotaur, has been defeated!]

[Major contributors: Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon.]

Lee Jihye cheered as Kim Dokja tried to clap while holding both his and Yoo Joonghyuk's guns. Jung Heewon let out a loud breath as Yoo Sangah checked her shoulder. Lee Hyunsung hovered worriedly.

"Oh, stop worrying, you two. A bruised shoulder is nothing."

"Heewon-ssi, please rest the rifle on the hollow between your neck and shoulder. That should avoid any further injuries,"

"Sure. Hyunsung-ssi did very well. How is your aim so good?" Heewon grouched, "My aim sucks. I am so used to close combat, I had to jump on the thing's neck so I could do anything."

Lee Hyunsung blushed, "Oh, well..."

Kim Dokja whispered, "It sure is useful to have a soldier with us at a time like this, right Yoo Joonghyuk?"

Yoo Joonghyuk scowled, "What's your problem?"

"I won't embarrass you, Yoo Joonghyuk, but placing a hand on the slide of a gun is the worst move ever. Our stats have been reduced , so a hammer bite will hurt like shit."

"..."

"You don't know what a hammer bite is, do you?"

Yoo Joonghyuk broke his own record with the amount of killing intent he put in his glare. His hands made to grab the hilt of his sword-- only to not find it there. Kim Dokja ignored it, "I just realised that you've never been to military service."

"What's it to you?" Yoo Joonghyuk looked away to aim his glare at his gun instead. If Kim Dokja hadn't known better, he would say he looked embarrassed.

"Hey, I really am trying to help. One of my acquaintances in the military suffered from a hammer bite, and bled an astonishing amount. When you place your hand on the side of this slide -- " Kim Dokja pointed out the thing on Yoo Joonghyuk's semi-automatic, " It makes a click and opens slightly to get rid of the bullet case after you fire . Your skin could get caught in it."

Was he mansplaining? Yes, he was. It was not every day he knew how to work a weapon Yoo Joonghyuk didn't . And he was going to take full advantage of that.

There was a roar as the air shimmered in front of them, and he hastily took the gun in his hand, making a show of holding it the proper way for Yoo Joonghyuk to watch, both hands clasped one on top of the other to grip it tightly. Kim Dokja could only sigh with relief that the other did not have the sword on him-- he'd be pulverised by now if he did.

Kim Dokja returned the gun to the silent Yoo Joonghyuk, "I'm giving this back to you now-- but I honestly would prefer you don't use it that much. I and Hyunsung-ssi are the only ones with actual experience, and the monsters aren't that strong. Leave this one to me."

Yoo Joonghyuk coloured fantastically and glared, "You really think--"

"Bye!"

Kim Dokja ran forward as a monstrous-looking rhinoceros came into view. He had not contributed at all to the Minotaur, he was too distracted with Yoo Joonghyuk.

"Wow, finally remembered the monsters won't kill themselves?" Han Sooyoung said snorted. She seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed his lecture and the sight of Yoo Joonghyuk's face.

Kim Dokja answered by directly aiming at the rhinoceros' upper thigh.

He fired, and was suddenly hit by the horrible memories of his time back in the military. The first time he practised, he'd almost fallen over by the recoil. Movies always made it seem so easy, the protagonist would casually pull the handgun from his belt and start firing at the enemies, making cool poses, crouching easily and dodging the bullets of his enemies, all the while not missing a single target. Then he would receive compliments from his companions, be known as a 'fighting prodigy' or whatever, and then shove the burning pistol right back behind his belt.

His bullet hit off the mark--lord he was so out of practice-- but it annoyed the rhinoceros all the same. It roared and advanced straight at him, not as blind as the Minotaur had been. Taking a deep breath, Kim Dokja ploughed forward too, observing the wide space between its legs. He ducked and skidded under, raising his gun to shoot at its underbelly. This action bloomed a different sort of thrill within him, his knowledge back from the military and the close combat he'd picked up because of Unbreakable Faith coexisting .

The thrill quickly went away when the pistol recoiled, slamming between his eyes. Ignoring the stars that appeared behind his eyelids, he quickly scrambled away as the rhinoceros thrashed around in agony, narrowly escaping its heavy feet.

That was close. It was time he took his own advice.

Holding a gun felt weird . The only way to fight the recoil was to , well, fire blindly at first and judge the best stance and grip for yourself.

Had he been a protagonist, the recoil would have meant nothing to him, and his aim would have been perfect. Thinking this, Kim Dokja turned to the fight behind him.

He nearly got shot by Yoo Joonghyuk's bullets.

"Kim Dokja!" Yoo Joonghyuk yelled as Kim Dokja rolled over.

"I'm fine," Kim Dokja's response was drowned out by the rhinoceros' shrieking in fear and anger. It advanced at Yoo Joonghyuk, whose lip bruised slightly-- a telltale of getting injured by the recoil. Kim Dokja shot at the rhinoceros' behind to get its attention. It roared but didn't give any signs of letting Yoo Joonghyuk off its sight. Shit, this sunfish must have really pissed it off.

Suddenly, Yoo Joonghyuk jumped high -- thank god not all of their stats were reduced-- and reached the monster's face. Before Kim Dokja could yell at him to jump over and escape -- Yoo Joonghyuk raised his still-smoking pistol and stabbed it straight in the eye with the muzzle.

Kim Dokja stared as the monster screamed horribly before crumbling to dust, revealing a pissed-off Yoo Joonghyuk still raising his gun like a sword.

[C Grade monster, the Rhinoceros has been defeated!]

[Major Contributors: Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja.]

[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire appreciates the Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk's ability to improvise.]

[The constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon likes the brutality displayed by the Company members.]

[The constellation Maritime War God pities the monsters.]

"Yoo Joonghyuk." Kim Dokja sighed. Of course, Yoo Joonghyuk chose that approach.

"That was awesome, master!" Kim Dokja jumped at Lee Jihye's voice. He'd almost forgotten the others were present here.

"Huh." Jung Heewon grinned, raising her rifle. "I should probably also follow that approach."

"I'm sorry we didn't help, Dokja-ssi." Lee Hyunsung said earnestly.

"I'm not." Jung Heewon snorted, "We get the Minotaur, they get a berserk rhinoceros. Fair."

[Beware the horde of monsters that are coming your way!]

"Well, the previous ones don't matter." Kim Dokja said evenly as the air shimmered from all four directions, "Now, we fight together."

They all took separate stands as the horde of monsters came their way.

Giving Yoo Joonghyuk a gun was like giving a toddler a chainsaw to play with.

Which Dokkaebi thought of this? There must be a limit to how difficult and life-threatening they could make the scenario, right? Or did constellations genuinely enjoy morbid situations like this?

[Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon is enjoying the chaos.]

[Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband would like to correct Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk's stance.]

[Constellation Secretive Plotter counts the seconds it takes for Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk to shoot himself accidentally.]

[Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire praises Incarnation Jung Heewon.]

[Constellation Maritime War God would really like it if the swords made a reappearance.]

[Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon would like it if the Incarnations fought with guns from here on.]

"Out of the way, Kim Dokja!" Yoo Joonghyuk shouted.

Kim Dokja readily sprang to his left, deciding any second of argument would be a second closer to his death. For once, Yoo Joonghyuk's bullet hit the mark, and the monstrous Gorilla with a human-like head screamed and clawed at its chest before disintegrating.

[A Grade Monster Sisimito had been defeated!]

[Major Contributors: Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye, Yoo Joonghyuk]

[Constellation Master of Steel looks at his Incarnation proudly.]

[Constellation Master of Steel would like to praise Incarnation Lee Hyunsung for successfully integrating his Pre-scenario training into the present situation.]

[Constellation Maritime War God begrudgingly agrees.]

Jung Heewon wolf-whistled. Lee Hyunsung blushed, "Um, thank you..."

Kim Dokja just knew the former tanker was growing richer by the minute. His situation was similar, but his sponsorship must be almost nothing compared to Lee Hyunsung. The guy had made major contributions to the past five monsters, at one point single-handedly besting a Nemean Lion while the others were occupied by the team of three other monsters that had spawned at the same time.

Even Yoo Joonghyuk, whose pride had been greatly wounded in this scenario, said privately to him, "You did well, Lee Hyunsung." He was decidedly ignoring the constellations that were jeering at him.

[Final Monster, the Amarok, is materialising!]

The air began to shimmer in a now-familiar way. A dark mass began to take shape, morphing into a gigantic wolf's head. Shaggy limbs began to take definite form, dwarfing the Incarnations instantly. A low growl echoed against the white walls.

Lee Hyunsung's face lost any lasting colour of embarrassment instantly, eyebrows drawing together in concentration. He stepped forward and jumped, bullets firing instantly into the wolf's black fur.

For a gigantic monster, the Amarok was frighteningly fast. The first bullet that hit it seemed to affect it like a mosquito bite. The wolf snarled and leapt over the soldier, who rolled for all he was worth. Not even a second later, the wolf's claws raked at the floor the man was at a moment ago. Saliva dripped from its canines.

The Amarok roared loudly when Kim Dokja leapt at its back, his bullet hitting the monster's shaggy hindquarters. Lee Hyunsung took no time to use the distraction to his advantage, crouching between the hairy legs before firing its chest. The wound bled, causing Lee Hyunsung to be showered with dark blood.

The monster bellowed, trying to cage the soldier under it. Lee Hyunsung frantically escaped, losing his gun in the process, finally managing when Kim Dokja distracted it by sticking the burning muzzle of the gun into its nostril. It snarled and hit the wall, effectively tearing Kim Dokja off, who immediately rolled away from the trashing feet and gasped.

Lee Hyunsung yelled loudly as he leapt and caught the Amarok by the back of the neck. Using his legs to hold on, he raised both fists above his head and struck the wolf's skull. He repeated the motion when the monster bellowed in pain and anger. Over the noise, he heard Kim Dokja shout, "Hyunsung-ssi, fall back!"

He immediately stopped and loosened the hold over the wolf's neck, falling back and landing with a harsh thump. There was the noise of a gun firing and soon he was left alone as the Amarok ran off to the other side of the room, where he presumed Kim Dokja resided.

Wiping away the blood from his eyes, he found his gun. He saw Kim Dokja with his back against the wall, waiting patiently for the Amarok to reach him. The two men caught each other's eyes for a fraction of a second and Lee Hyunsung nodded, signalling he was ready.

Kim Dokja smirked back at him before running and skidding between the Amarok's legs, which was made easier by the blood that covered the floor. The Amarok turned, bloody snout dripping with froth, to catch its prey. Lee Hyunsung was ready, firing the wolf squarely between the eyes the same instant it turned. The growls quietened down as it disintegrated into nothing.

[A Grade Monster, the Amarok, has been defeated!]

[Major contributors: Lee Hyunsung, Kim Dokja]

[Hidden Scenario: Even Weapons Have Stories, has been completed!]

[You have received 600,000 coins as a reward!]

"That was a good one, Hyunsung-ssi," Kim Dokja wiped the sweat on his forehead.

"Is Dokja-ssi okay...?" Lee Hyunsung hovered worriedly.

"Hyunsung-ssi, you are covered in blood," Kim Dokja said pointedly.

"Well, that was impressive." The two men jumped as Yoo Sangah grinned, smiling pointedly at Jung Heewon. Han Sooyoung snorted and waggled her eyebrows at Kim Dokja, "Thought we will let you two show off this time,"

"Yeah." Lee Jihye caught on, smirking as Lee Hyunsung blushed at the attention, "Soldier Ahjussi was super badass when he jumped on the wolf and struck it with his fists, wasn't he Unnie?"

"I agree." Jung Heewon said, and Lee Hyunsung went even redder, "Is it fine if I can train with guns with you, Hyunsung-ssi? I'm sure I will learn nicely with your help,"

"Ah, it is not that impressive–" Lee Hyunsung protested, looking nervous, "Even Dokja-ssi helped–"

"Yes." Kim Dokja said with a straight face, "That is why I will be training with Yoo Joonghyuk. I think both of us will benefit from knowing how to handle another weapon, as will you and Heewon-ssi–-"

"You will not do anything of the sort." Yoo Joonghyuk said, scowling. He was still waiting for his trusted sword to resurface.

"Yes." Yoo Sangah was clearly holding in her laughter, before turning to Kim Dokja with a smile, "Dokja-ssi did very well too. This scenario would have been difficult without you and Hyunsung-ssi,"

"Thank you, Sangah-ssi," Kim Dokja smiled.

"I am sure we all gained the skill to work well with guns as a reward from this scenario." Lee Hyunsung laughed, red creeping down his neck and ears glowing.

"Well, yes." Jung Heewon agreed, "But training will still help. And I want to train with Hyunsung-ssi."

If possible, the soldier went even redder. He started to smile rather giddily, "I'm– I will be glad if... if you're sure–"

"Great." Jung Heewon smiled at him, before grinning with delight as her belt glowed and her sword resurfaced, "Great! But just so you know, Hyunsung-ssi, I won't be replacing my sword with the gun anytime soon,"

"Well, I wouldn't want you to."

[Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire is glaring suspiciously at the Constellation Master of Steel.]

[Constellation Master of Steel advises the Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire to not interfere in the Incarnations' relationships.]

"So." Kim Dokja grinned at Yoo Joonghyuk, placing his face annoyingly close to the other's, "Can I get a 'Teacher', Yoo Joonghyuk? I will happily teach you to fire a gun without getting a hammer bite."

The idea of knowing something Yoo Joonghyuk didn't wasn't exactly unheard of, being the sole reader of Ways of Survival and everything. But knowing how to work a weapon Yoo Joonghyuk didn't, that wasn't something Kim Dokja would let go without milking it for all it was worth.

Yoo Joonghyuk did not even spare him a glance, already cleaning the blade of his sword, "I'm not interested in learning the workings of that useless weapon."

"Hey, we succeeded in that scenario with only guns."

"I'm not sure they will be very useful when fighting the outer gods." Yoo Joonghyuk said coolly, "The scenario provided us with monsters that can be killed by that weapon. It won't always help,"

[Constellation Secretive Plotter agrees that Outer Gods wouldn't be affected by guns.]

[Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire pouts and wishes the Constellation Demon King of Salvation spends more time with Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk so he can learn more of the workings of guns.]

[Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband would like to remind Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire that she uses Swords primarily.]

[Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon advises the Constellation Demon Like Judge of Fire to not interfere in the Incarnations' relationships.]

Then, the last constellation Yoo Joonghyuk expected messaged him. His eyes widened and Kim Dokja turned to him questioningly.

[Constellation "???" relaxes and is happy his Incarnation's sword is back.]