"What else? Fight.

"

"Don't speak crazy words! This is all because of you! If you hadn't broken
our rooms…!"

I triggered the Blade of Faith and used it on the transfer stairs.

Kwarurung!

"Uwaaaaack!"

The center of the staircase fell with a large sound, along with the people. It
was cruel but necessary.

"Crazy! Quickly find another staircase! Quickly!"

Well, I don't think it would happen.

Lee Hyunsung was already running. I smashed the transit stairs we came up
on and there was only one staircase remaining. Subsequently, the sound of
arguing and something breaking was heard on the other side.

"Shit! Waaah!"

The cries of the people trapped on the platform of line 3 were heard. Lee
Jihye approached me and asked.

"Ahjussi. This isn't what you told me. If you leave it like this…"

"I know."

I looked at the lower floor that was becoming pandemonium. If I left it like
this, they would all be killed. Whether it was from the monsters or using
each other's bodies as a stepping stone to come upstairs.

This wasn't what I wanted.

[The exclusive skill 'Bookmark' can now be activated.]

['Character Bookmarks' is activated.]

[Available Bookmark Slots: 3]

[Bringing up the list of available bookmarks.]

[People Listed in the Bookmark Slots]

The Delusion Demon Kim Namwoon (Understanding 35).

Steel Sword Lee Hyunsung (Understanding 65).

Demagogue Cheon Inho (Understanding 20).

I activated the third bookmark.

[The number three bookmark has been activated.]

[The level of the Bookmark skill is low, shortening the activation time.]

[Activation Time: 5 minutes.]

[Your understanding of the character is low, so only a part of the character's

skill is activated.]

[Incite Lv.2 has been activated.]

Suddenly, it felt like my tongue was coming alive on its own. This was how
Cheon Inho felt. I looked downstairs. In the middle of the mess, I could see
a middle-aged man.
"Hey Gong Pildu. How long are you going to stand there?"

Gong Pildu glared at me.

"This dog…!"

"Don't you have to act in order to live? If you move, everyone else can

live." The power of Incite permeated the ears of all the frightened people.

"P-Pildu-ssi!"

"P-Pildu-ssi, please save us!"

Gong Pildu's expression distorted. I felt good. This was what Cheon Inho
would've felt at Gumho Station.

"The third scenario isn't as hard as you think. Once everyone gives up on
the rooms and participates in the defense, there are enough people to handle
the monsters."

My words were half true. If Chungmuro had united before I arrived here,
there would be far less victims. After all, the biggest pitfall of this scenario
was the green zone.

"If Gong Pildu fights with the people, you can survive."

Those who fight together would survive, those who ran away would die.

[The sponsor behind Lee Jihye agrees with your wisdom.]

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' nods his head.]

"Now there are no rooms for you to run away to. Forget about whether you
are a landlord or tenant and fight. Or you will all die."
The more urgent the situation was, the more the effect of Incite would
increase.

"Damn, this fucking guy…!"

"Pildu-ssi! Please help us!"

The alliance members gathered around Gong Pildu. If he ran away here
alone, Gong Pildu's Landlord Alliance would collapse. In the end Gong
Pildu made his decision.

"Dammit… Everybody gather here!"

The people downstairs started gathering around Gong Pildu.

"I need time to install a new Armed Zone. Everybody just hang on!"

The key was Gong Pildu's Armed Zone. However, the weak point was that
Armed Zone took time to install every time it moved.

Blood splattered everywhere and people screamed as their limbs were torn
off.

"Aaaagh!"

As expected, the first ones who abandoned the formation were the
tenants, not the alliance members. "Yoo Sangah-ssi."

"Yes. Please leave it to me."

I didn't need to explain it. Yoo Sangah already understood what she needed
to do.

Her Binding Thread stretched out and started to rescue the people who
couldn't fight anymore. In any case, their mission was to buy time for Gong
Pildu to deploy Armed Zone.
"U-Uhh… t-thank you."

The tenants hung from the threat and were pulled upstairs.

The rescued tenants were shaking as they wrapped up their injured area. In
the meantime, some of the people with weapons carefully looked at me. I
smiled at them and said.

"Oh, do you want the bounty?"

[The time limit for the bounty scenario has expired.]

[The bounty hanging on Kim Dokja has been destroyed.]

"Sorry, it is too late."

"I-I'm sorry."

The tenants seemed ashamed as they put away their weapons. I heard Gong
Pildu's voice roaring from the bottom.

"Out of the way!"

[The character 'Gong Pildu' has used Private Land Lv. 3!]

[The character 'Gong Pildu' has activated 'Armed Zone Lv. 4!]

There was a mechanical sound as five turrets rose from the ground. The red
magic bullets condensed in a short time and started firing.

Dududududu!

Kwang! Kwaang! Kwaang!

The ground rats screamed as they were hit by the bombardment of magic
bullets while the grolls came to a halt. The group of people cried out.
"As expected of Pildu-ssi!"

"Wahhhh!"

It was truly Gong Pildu. In a defense type scenario, there was no

incarnation that surpassed a player's combat effectiveness.

The 10 Evils weren't called that for nothing.

"All of you damn scum disappear!"

The agitated Gong Pildu randomly fired. Lee Hyunsung spoke with
admiration.

"It is a really tremendous stigma. Is it okay when the magic power

consumption is so big?"

"It is a good stigma so it will be okay for a while."

"Should we help…?"

"Gong Pildu alone is sufficient. If we do down then he will be distracted

and stop shooting."

The Defense Master sponsor behind Gong Pildu was completely suited for
this type of scenario. As long as he supported Gong Pildu, Gong Pildu
wouldn't die here. As long as the sponsorship continued.

I sat down and stretched out my legs.

"We will be sucking honey for a while."

"…Is it time for personal maintenance already?"

Lee Hyunsung sat down with me and the party members started to relax one
by one. Jung Heewon asked.
"Thank you. I didn't get enough sleep… can I sleep now?"

"Yes."

10 minutes later, Jung Heewon was lying on the ground and snoring. I said
yes but I really didn't know how she could sleep so easily.

"A-Aren't we too easygoing?"

Yoo Sangah sounded concerned. Indeed, it would be confusing. There

wasn't a 'scenario' like this so far. In fact, all we did was survive the brink
of a crisis.

"Think of it as standing on the right line."

"Then over there…"

"They got the wrong line."

The confusion on the lower level had almost died down because of Gong
Pildu.

Dududududu!

"Uwaaaaah!"

He should've lived a better life.

"Fuck! Fuuuuuckers!"

In the midst of the endless procession of monsters, Gong Pildu's screams

echoed.
 Chapter 36: Ep. 8 – Emergency Defense, IV

One hour after the battle began, Gong Pildu fought and fought. The number
of monsters had barely decreased but it was still great. Gong Pildu was
considered to have the strongest defense among the 10 Evils for a reason.

"You scum!"

[The character Gong Pildu's Armed Zone has levelled up.

[The character Gong Pildu's Private Land has levelled up!]

[The character Gong Pildu has acquired the Protective Wall skill.]

The level up speed of Armed Zone was fast. The sponsor behind Gong
Pildu was rushing to support his growth. If he could survive here, Gong
Pildu's growth would be enormous.

As long as he could survive here.

"Uhweeeh…!"

According to the scenario, Gong Pildu had to hold on for seven more hours.
It would've been nice if I had popcorn. Too bad.

Lee Jihye was giggling next to me as she watched the bottom floor. She
told me earlier that I should save them… it was truly a transformation in the
disposition of Yoo Joonghyuk's disciple.

"By the way, why isn't Yoo Joonghyuk here?

"How should I know? Master is always busy."

Busy… yes, he might be busy. The person trying to be all alone was the
busiest.

I looked down at the dying Gong Pildu as I asked, "What time did Yoo
Joonghyuk enter the dungeon?"

"It is roughly 9 a.m. today…" Lee Jihye stopped speaking and stared at me.
"…Wait a minute, how do you know that Master entered a dungeon?"

I ignored Lee Jihye and calculated the time. Now it was 8 p.m. Using
simple calculations, it had already been over 11 hours since Yoo Joonghyuk
entered. Yet he still hadn't come out…

Damn, I had to move. Yoo Joonghyuk was the main character and it would
be difficult if something happened to him.

I opened the dokkaebi communication.

'Bihyung'.

Bihyung floating in the air turned to look at me.

[What is it? Calling me so suddenly.]

'Open the Dokkaebi Bag'.

[What? N-No! I am currently getting a lot of subscriptions!]

I know. My stock price was rising due to my actions with Gong Pildu. My
actions of laying a trap and then sitting back meant the constellations of the
'fun seekers' group wouldn't still be on the channel which Gong Pildu
belonged to.

Where would the constellations go after leaving the channel?

[New constellations have entered the channel!]

It was naturally Bihyung's channel.

[#BI-7623 channel is ready for an expansion.]

[Huhu, huhuhut, look at this, look at this! Now my channel is also…!]

It wasn't unreasonable for Bihyung to be acting like this. But this wasn't the
time for amusement.

'If you don't want your channel to be ruined, open it quickly. You can see
that there will be an advertisement in preparation for the channel
expansion'.

[Ah, shit… really…]

Bihyung grumbled but opened the Dokkaebi Bag after showing an

advertisement. It was finally time to use the coins I had saved.

'I'll give you 5,000 coins. Upgrade me to a gold member'.

Bihyung stared at me quietly and sighed. It was followed by system

messages.
[5,000 coins have been consumed.]

[Congratulations! You have become a gold member of the Dokkaebi Bag!]

My member rating changed and the background of the Dokkaebi Bag also
changed. Coins were really good. New item listings were added. I put the
necessary items into the shopping cart.

Behind the Scenes Contract – 10,000 C.

Intermediate Magic Power Recovery Potion X 10 – 5,000 C.

One contract and 10 intermediate potions… this should be enough.

The spending was a bit big but the channel was going to be expanded. It
wouldn't be long before I recovered it. Bihyung was nervous when he saw
the items I bought.

[…Why is there a contract? Have you already forgotten the terms? You
can't have a sponsor!]

'What do you mean? Why would I get a sponsor now?''

Even if I was doing that, why would I buy the contract with my own coins?
At any rate, this Bihyung still needed a lot of work.

[15,000 coins have been consumed.]

[A 'Behind the Scenes Contract' has been acquired.]

[10 Intermediate Magic Power Recovery Potions have been acquired.]

Yoo Sangah showed curiosity when the items appeared out of thin air.

"What is that?"

"A contract to make a 'gap' an 'eul'."

I filled out the contract carefully, wrote my name in the 'gap' section and
waited quietly. It was time for the 'eul' to come.

[The sponsor for character 'Gong Pildu' is asking for help from nearby
constellations.]

Finally, the sponsor behind Gong Pildu reached his limits and started
sending messages outside the channel. It was natural since the sponsor
didn't have many coins in the first place. Not everybody was rich just
because they were a constellation.

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' scoffs.]

The other constellations in Gong Pildu's channel would've stopped

sponsoring and the incarnation was dying… everything was going
according to plan.

Bihyung noticed something and muttered.

[Wait a minute, surely you aren't…]

I talked towards Gong Pildu, who was in a half dead state.

"Hey, you over there."

Dududududu! Gong Pildu fired crazily and looked up at me while breathing

heavily.

"Will you die like this or will you sign a contract with me?"

"W-What…?"

"I'm not a constellation so I can't be a sponsor. But if you want, I can be

a person behind the scenes. How about it?" "What is this bastard talking
about…?"
"Gong Pildu, shut up. I'm not talking to you."

"What…?"

I waved the 'contract' in one hand and the 'Intermediate Magic Power
Recovery Potion' in the other hand.

"Answer quickly. I will give these items to you if you sign with me."

A message window flashed in front of me.

[The sponsor behind character 'Gong Pildu' has revealed himself.]

[The constellation 'Defense Master' is looking at you like you are crazy.]

Indeed. He wasn't yet ready to be an 'eul'. Don't worry. He would be in a

hurry as time passed.

Bihyung was watching me.

[You… are you crazy?]

'This one as well'.

[You are the first to try and support a constellation.]

'I can't do it?'

[This is a constellation! Will it sign with an insignificant human?]

'That is just your thoughts'.

The intermediate constellation, Defense Master. He was a low level

constellation compared to his ability.

His world had long become a 'scenario' and was completely destroyed.
Therefore, the Defense Master's myth was no longer discussed. The myth
had disappeared and the constellation couldn't get coins. One day, even his
existence would disappear.

That's why some constellations, including the Defense Master' were

obsessed with looking for an 'incarnation'. The constellations were
remembered in the world through their chosen incarnation.

'That guy, he doesn't have any coins left'.

[What?]

Gong Pildu's power had fallen sharply compared to before. Unlike the
'Monarch of the Small Fries', the Defense Master was someone who cared
about his incarnation. The fact that Gong Pildu was going to die meant he
had run out of coins.

It was obvious but without coins, a new 'sponsor contract' was impossible.
Then what happened to a constellation who couldn't create a new
incarnation?

'Once Gong Pildu dies, that guy will be forgotten'.

For a constellation, being forgotten meant death.

Faint fear filled Bihyung's eyes.

[You are…?]

Gong Pildu was a great card if I could afford it. Even Yoo Joonghyuk had
attempted to subjugate Gong Pildu several times in countless regressions.
Of course, he had never been successful.

Yoo Sangah spoke.

"Dokja-ssi, that person will die."

Gong Pildu was biting his lips so hard that blood was flowing. Now there
were only two mini-turrets left in Armed Zone. It was time to end this.

[The constellation 'Defense Master' is wondering about the contents of the

contract.]

He was coming. Bihyung's eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

[…Really? No, is this real?]

I showed the contract immediately.

[The constellation 'Defense Master' has started reading the contract.]

Gong Pildu, who was shedding blood on the lower floor, suddenly shouted.
He had probably heard a message from his sponsor.

"W-What? What is this message?"

What? He was being sold.

"W-What is going on Pildu-ssi?"

[The constellation 'Defense Master' is asking for some time to think.]

After a while, I heard some good news.

[The constellation 'Defense Master' as added a condition to the contract.]

[If you agree with this condition, the constellation 'Defense Master' will
agree to contract with you.]

I immediately read the contract.

…
14. Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) recognizes the property rights
ofConstellation Defense Master (Eul)and should ensure the survival of
'Gong Pildu'.

15. Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) should help Constellation Defense

Master(Eul) so that his private property 'Gong Pildu' grows well.

Guaranteeing Gong Pildu's life and his growth. In fact, this didn't need to be
included. It was natural for Gong Pildu not to die if the contract was signed.
The only thing that mattered for me was the third condition.

3. Incarnation Kim Dokja (Gap) has a command authority over 'Gong

Pildu', the private property of Constellation Defense Master (Up to 10 times
a day).

I checked the contract and nodded.

"I will sign the contract."

Before long, a faint thread connected me and Gong Pildu. Then system
messages were heard.

[The contract has been completed.]

[You have become the co-sponsor of 'Gong Pildu' due to the contract.]

[Due to the contract, you have been given the right to command incarnation
'Gong Pildu'.]

[The duration of the contract is five years and it won't be automatically

renewed.]

Yoo Joonghyuk would be stunned if he knew that Gong Pildu could be

obtained so easily. If I hadn't read to the latter half of Ways of Survival, I
wouldn't have known to use the Behind the Scenes Contract this way.
I handed the recovery potions to Yoo Sangah.

"Give this to Gong Pildu. You should give him one every 40 minutes."

"…It is okay to give to him?"

She had to give it. If not, this main scenario wouldn't be cleared. Gong
Pildu was confused after Yoo Sangah handed him a potion.

"What is this?"

"Drink it and fight."

Gong Pildu was suspicious for a moment but soon opened the potion's lid.
Blue smoke emerged around his body and the destroyed turrets returned to
their original appearance.

[The character 'Gong Pildu' has completely recovered his magic power.]

Gong Pildu wiped the potion stained lips and looked up at me.

"Stupid guy. Do you think I will forgive you because of this? Once I get out
of here, it will be your end…"

"Shut up, Gong Pildu."

[Under the terms of the contract, 'Command Rights' is activated!]

"O-Oof? Oof oof oof?"

Poor guy, he didn't even know what situation he was in.

"Fight hard. Don't touch my party members."

"Hup…! Oof oof…!"

Dududududu!
Yoo Sangah's eyes widened when she saw Gong Pildu listened to my
orders.

"D-Dokja-ssi? W-Why is that person…?"

"I made a 'gap' into an 'eul."

"…Did you write something?"

"Now you can rest assured about Gong Pildu."

Then the bombardment of messages from the constellations poured out.

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' finds your idea interesting.]

[The constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' has dropped his stick
at your strategy.]

[The constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' thinks that you are
impudent.]

I had secretly signed the contract but these guys already noticed. The
Defense Master was only intermediate level but he was still a constellation.

A mere human became a co-sponsor with a constellation, the impact on the

constellations would be enormous. There would be a backlash among those
like the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon. But.

[Many constellations are paying attention to you.]

[A number of constellations want to become your sponsor.]

The constellations who realized my value were overwhelmingly larger. If

they became my sponsor, they would be able to use the power of Defense
Master.
Then the owner of Gong Pildu's channel, Dokkaebi Biryu appeared in the
air.

[Constellations! W-Why… are you suddenly leaving? D-Don't go! Just wait
a little longer…!]

Biryu, whose channel was being ruined, made a desperate appeal. It was the
dokkaebi who created the food penalty and 'survival cost' in Gumho
Station.

[H-Hiiik! N-No…]

Dokkaebi Biryu gradually blurred and disappeared.

[Channel # BIR-3642 has been forced to leave after having the

subscriptions reduced.]

Bihyung muttered in a trembling voice after seeing one channel falling to

ruin.

[Excuse me… Dokja-nim?]

'What is it?'

[You… were you aiming for Gong Pildu from the beginning?]

I shrugged.

[Crazy… human… what human did I sign with?]

Bihyung couldn't close his mouth. I didn't care. This place was organized
and I needed to move on to the next place.

I spoke to the bewildered party members who still hadn't grasped the
situation.

"Everyone. I'm sorry but I have to leave for a while'.

"Huh? Now?"

"There is a place I urgently need to go to. Hyunsung-ssi and Yoo Sangah-

ssi, please stay here. You don't have to do anything. Just throw Pildu a
potion until the end of the scenario and relax."

Jung Heewon asked, "What about Gilyoung and I?"

"You will come with me."

"To where?"

"Um… it is hard to explain but there is a bad guy."

"A bad guy?"

"Yes. A bad person who disappeared to eat items alone, regardless if

people die or not. From now on, I am going to hit him in the back of the
head." It was very hard. Jung Heewon thought for a moment before
asking.

"…Is he worse than Gong Pildu?"

I contemplated for a moment before replying.

"He is much worse."

"Then let's go."

"I'll explain the details later."

I moved with Jung Heewon and Lee Gilyoung. Then somebody grabbed my
shoulder. It was Lee Jihye
"Wait, where are you going right now?"

In any case, this was good.

"Great. You can come along."

"Where are you going?"

"Yoo Joonghyuk is in danger."

Lee Jihye laughed like she thought I was joking.

"What nonsense are you saying? Master is in danger?"

My expression remained serious and Lee Jihye's laughter soon disappeared.

"…Are you serious? No, how do you know this?"

How did I know? Perhaps I was the world's foremost, no the second highest
authority who knew her master.

I checked the time.

"That jerk, he went to the hidden dungeon at Exit 1?"

"U-Uh?"

"And it has been 11 hours since he entered?"

"Uhhh…" Lee Jihye spoke blankly.

I remembered that Yoo Joonghyuk' had attacked Chungmuro's 'hidden

dungeon' a total of eight years. He failed twice and succeeded six times.
The problem was that the two failures were concentrated in his early
regressions.
The 8th turn and the 11th turn.
During the 8th regression, Yoo Joonghyuk died in Chungmuro's hidden
dungeon.

But the current Yoo Joonghyuk was… the third turn.

"At this rate, Yoo Joonghyuk will die today."

If my guess was right, our damn regressor would be on the 'sunfish route'.¹

[1] Sunfish route – a reference to the game 'Survive! Mola Mola!' where a
player has to help a sunfish survive troubles in the sea. However almost
anything makes the sunfish die.
 Chapter 37: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, I

After a while, we moved towards the entrance of the 'hidden dungeon' on

the first underground floor. I walked behind Lee Jihye, Lee Gilyoung and
Jung Heewon while looking at my smartphone.

「…In the midst of the splitting headache, Yoo Joonghyuk came to his
senses.

'Give up on this life'.

This was the end of Yoo Joonghyuk's eighth life. 」

It couldn't be. This hadn't happened yet.

…Shit, why was this guy doing this on only the third life? If he moved
carefully like his second life, he would've passed through the mid-to-late
scenarios.

I raised my eyes to see Jung Heewon looking at me.

"Dokja-ssi, what are you looking at?"

"…Ah, the calendar… This situation has made me lose my sense of the
date."

I actually thought it might be more interesting to look at the calendar.

Sometimes I wondered how I finished reading this novel.

Jung Heewon looked at me suspiciously before turning her head towards

Lee Jihye.

"Then… did you say your name was Jihye? Do you also use a sword?"

"Yes. I like the sword."

"Right? The sword is the best. It has a good taste."

"…Unni also knows the taste?"

Jung Heewon smiled as she watched Lee Jihye's sword. It was a luxurious
sword that obviously flowed smoothly. Maybe it was given by Yoo
Joonghyuk.

"Your sword looks good."

"Ah, Master gave it to me. Unni…?"

"My one… I-I like mine as well."

Jung Heewon looked down at the groll horn blade and then sneaked a peek
at the sword on the other person's waist.

I didn't do anything wrong but I couldn't help feeling sorry. I had no choice
but to hang something on Lee Jihye.

"Hey, why are you talking to Heewon-ssi but ignoring me?"

"Uh… that, I'm a bit weak to older females."

Lee Jihye responded with a quivering voice and Jung Heewon gave her a
headlock, as if Lee Jihye was cute. There seemed to be a connection
between the 'demon slayers'. Lee Jihye barely escaped from the headlock
and asked.

"By the way, why are you rescuing Master?"

"We are companions."

"Don't talk nonsense."

"He is a useful guy."

"…You sound like Master."

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is wondering about your heart.]

Come to think of it, it wasn't just Lee Jihye but the constellations as well
who must be wondering about my actions. He was a guy who would kill me
if he got a chance. It was strange that I would run to save him.

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' likes your desire to

rehabilitate a fallen friend.]

[100 coins have been sponsored.]

This one misunderstood me. But the Demon-like Judge of Fire… unlike the
expectations of the Archangel Uriel, I had a deeply personal reason for
saving Yoo Joonghyuk.

It was to prevent him from 'regressing' after his death.

Regression after death. It sounded good. A 'regression stigma' that triggered

every time you died. The protagonist had a fraudulent ability.
The problem was that this ability invoked complicated thoughts in the
surrounding cast.

「By the way, what happens to the world after you return? 」

A supporting actor had asked this of Yoo Joonghyuk when Yoo

Joonghyuk's number of lives had broken into the double digits. I forgot his
name but Yoo Joonghyuk's answer from that time was clear.

「 …I also don't know. I always choose a world where more people can
live. 」

It was plausible but in fact, Yoo Joonghyuk didn't know about the world he
abandoned. In face, there was no definite theory about what happened to
the world in Ways of Survival.

Science, magic, whatever.

This was why I was anxious. What happened to the world after the
regressor disappeared?

Would it reset with the regression? Or would a parallel universe branch off?
The latter would be fortunate, but if it was the former…

"Hyung?"

"Ah, yes?"

Lee Gilyoung, who was holding the hem of my clothes, looked up at me

with anxious eyes.

"I think we're here?"

[You are approaching the outside region. Be careful not to leave the
scenario area.]
This message popped up. It didn't matter. Chungmuro's hidden dungeon
was treated as an 'inside' area.

We turned the corner and Exit 1 appeared. A dungeon entrance with an

ominous shade greeted us.

[You have found a hidden dungeon!]

[This dungeon has already been discovered by someone. You can't get the
first discovery achievement.]

[A new hidden scenario has arrived!]

[Hidden Scenario – Theatre Dungeon]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A-

Clear Conditions: Defeat the master of Theatre Dungeon.

Time Limit: None

Compensation: 4,000 coins

Failure: ―

The surprised Lee Jihye hesitated and stepped back.

"…What is this? Theater Dungeon?"

Lee Gilyoung looked startled. Well, this must be the first time they
encountered a hidden scenario. Jung Heewon also spoke.

"A movie theatre as a dungeon… it sounds romantic."

Romantic. This was only because she didn't know how scary the movie
theatre could be. We entered the theatre. The familiar lobby of the
multiplex welcomed us.

[You have entered Theatre Dungeon.]

We were tense as we entered the bleak dungeon. It was a multiplex

consisting of nine floors, from B1 to the 8th floor.

"Hyung, the posters are torn. Who would do that?"

"I'm not sure."

I said this but I actually knew the truth.

The core of this 'Theatre Dungeon' were the 'posters' on the wall. Perhaps
Yoo Joonghyuk defeated every poster as he went upstairs. His intentions
were to sweep up all the rewards.

Except for the torn posters, nothing strange was found on B1. There were
no items and no monsters. The only exception was the smashed elevator in
one corner with a distrted door.

Lee Jihye asked.

"Isn't this a dungeon? Why isn't there anything?"

"Something will appear."

"…Do you know something?"

"A little."

"How? Something is fishy about ahjussi. Is this your second life?"

That was her master. But he had lived three times.

Then Jung Heewon said, "It is due to the sponsor behind Dokja-ssi."

"…Really?"

I ignored the two women and tried to move to the ground floor when I was
caught by Lee Gilyoung. The cockroach on his head was moving wildly.
Lee Jihye drew her sword at almost the same moment I covered her mouth
with a hand.

"Shhh, there is somebody else besides us."

I breathed out while small sounds started to be heard. Just upstairs. Then…
the lobby? I first thought it was Yoo Joonghyuk but it wasn't Yoo
Joonghyuk's voice.

"…Are you sure? Here… there are a bunch of things."

"Yes. I bought the information with 1,000 coins."

"The prophets?"

"Yes. They are disgusting but the information is obvious."

I heard the sound of people talking. We went up the escalator and

approached them. It seemed that four people were gathered in the lobby on
the 1st floor.

Lee Jihye whispered, "Who are they? I never once saw their faces in
Chungmuro."

"Maybe they came from the ground side entrance."

"Ground side? Isn't that filled with poisonous fog? Furthermore, the
scenario―"

"Different stations have different scenarios at different speeds. There

are those who have finished the scenario faster than our station. If there
is a weak poisoning, they can eat the meat from the underground
species." I said this but I was confused.

'Prophets?'

There was no information about such people in Yoo Joonghyuk's life. At

this point, Yoo Joonghyuk and I should be the only ones who knew about
the hidden dungeon.

What caused the variables? Needless to say, I needed to find out.

"Then let's go inside."

A blue spotlight was floating above the men talking. A bright light
surrounded them and then they disappeared.

"…What happened to them?"

Jung Heewon asked me but I didn't answer. Instead, I was searching the
posters on the wall. This was torn, that as well… by the time I reached the
end of the wall, only one wasn't torn. I read the words written on the poster.

Steven Spielberg, Samuel L Jackson, Jeff Goldblum…

That bastard Yoo Joonghyuk… he left this one alone? As expected from the
third regression.

At that moment, the light came on again. This time, the spotlight was aimed
on us. The surprised Lee Jihye and Lee Gilyoung stepped back, but there
was no way to avoid it. The word 'ray' suited it.

I asked Jung Heewon, "Heewon-ssi likes movies?"

"Of course. Do you usually like it?"

"You might hate it after this."

"What do you―"

[You have been hit by a projection light.]

[The screening will begin.]

The surrounding landscape started to slowly change. It wasn't a simple

illusion so Fourth Wall wasn't activated as before. The old linoleum floor
became covered with green bushes, while the reception desk and popcorn
stand turned into a lush rainforest. The ceiling turned into a blue sky with
no clouds and no end in sight. Lee Jihye muttered in a small voice.

"Where the hell is this place?"

Lee Jihye shouted and hacked at the surrounding trees and bushes, but
nothing changed. Lee Gilyoung started looking for insects with a calm
expression.

I tried to touch the nearby trees. It had a hard and moist texture. It was a
real rainforest from the Mesozoic era. This was a different realism from the
specter's Phantom Prison. This was the power of the theatre master on the
dungeon's 8th floor.

"It is a movie."

"…Really ridiculous things are happening."

A novel had become reality. There was no law that a movie couldn't
become reality as well.

Jung Heewon was a fast adaptor and quickly understood.

"Ahjussi, what movie is this?"

"You'll know soon."

"…Can't you just let me know? Wait a minute, what is this kid doing…?"
At this moment, the shrubbery moved and something jumped out in front of
Lee Gilyoung. An insect that resembled a giant praying mantis. The size
was approximately 40cm. Lee Jihye was terrified and cried out.

"Hey Kid! Back away!"

However, Lee Gilyoung responded calmly to the fuss.

"It isn't a praying mantis. It is a Titanoptera from the Triassic period.

"What?"

Lee Gilyoung stretched out his hand to the titano. The insect didn't refuse
the touch and after a moment, Lee Gilyoung and the insect's body was
wrapped in a blue light.

Lee Jihye watched with a stupid expression.

"This… what?"

"Fabre."

It really was good that I brought Lee Gilyoung. This guy's ability might
allow us to pass through the gateway more easily.

The giant praying mantis moved its big mouth and Lee Gilyoung nodded. I
didn't know what it involved but they were having a conversation. After a
while, Lee Gilyoung paled as he talked to the praying mantis.

…What was it?

Lee Gilyoung hurriedly turned to me.

"Hyung!"
As he spoke, the sound of the earth shaking was heard. It seemed that
something was coming at a tremendous speed, smashing the huge palm
trees.

Kuoooooh!

The muzzle of the giant reptile that appeared through the rainforest was
covered with reddish blood. Some bloody men were running in front of it. It
was the men who entered before us.

"Kuaaack!"

"S-Save me!"

Lee Jihye stepped back and spoke to Jung Heewon.

"I know what movie this is."

"…Yes, me too."

A body that was over a dozen meters tall and hard skin. Fierce muscles
dominated the entire body. The strongest predator of the Mesozoic Era was
in front of us.

At first glance, it was similar to a grade 7 monster. The difficulty level was
atrocious considering this was the 1st floor of the dungeon. But my heart
just thumped. The harder the hidden dungeon, the better the reward.

I pulled out a blade and said, "Get ready to fight."

Maybe Yoo Joonghyuk skipped only this movie because of the contents.
The main reward of Theater Dungeon was related to the movie contents.
Yoo Joonghyuk probably thought there weren't any worthy rewards in a
movie where dinosaurs appeared. But he didn't know.

In this movie, a really important reward was hidden.

"…Are you serious? We are going to fight that?"

"We need to beat it to make an exit."

"The exit?"

"It is a long movie. Have you forgotten?"

A T-rex was approaching quickly. The island's central laboratory was seen
behind it. And an escape helicopter was on the rooftop of the laboratory.

This was a movie. A movie that the master of Theater Dungeon made into
reality.

Therefore, there was only one way to escape from here.

"Let's make a great ending."

 Chapter 38: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, II

The moment the yellow eyes looked at us, a deafening roar echoed in our
ears.

Kuoooooh!

[The 7th grade, Tyrannosaurus Rex has recognized you.]

[The 'Tyrannosaurus Rex' has triggered the 'Fear the Predator' skill!]

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall has blocked the effect of the 'Fear the
Predator' skill.]

My mind was calm thanks to Fourth Wall, but I could stop the chills that
occurred. This was the fear towards a predator.

"Everyone, get out of the way!"

The petrified Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye regained their spirits. I fell back
with Lee Gilyoung beside me.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

A long tail flew through the forest in front of us.

"Kuaaack!"

The men who were running fell on the backs and coughed up blood.
Fortunately, Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye were away from the danger zone.

I shouted to Lee Gilyoung lying down next to me.

"Gilyoung fall back, while Heewon-ssi and Jihye-ssi scatter to the left and
right!"

Then a message popped up.

[The character 'Lee Gilyoung' has activated the 'Dinosaur Book' skill!]

…Huh?

"Tyrannosaurus are agile compared to their size, but they are vulnerable
due to their narrow field of view."

"…What?"

"I saw it in a book when I was a child."

"When you were a child?"

"…Younger than I am now."

I stared blankly at Lee Gilyoung. This wasn't the time to tackle it.

Kuoooooh!
[The exclusive skill 'Purest Sword Force' has been activated.]

I started waving the iridescent blade to attract the attention of the T-Rex.
Lee Jihye and Jung Heewon weren't tankers. I didn't even need to mention
Lee Gilyoung. Therefore, I was the only one who could take the risk here.

"While I draw its attention, attack its rear―"

I hadn't finished talking when I saw Lee Jihye and Jung Heewon already at
the T-Rex's rear. They noticed quickly.

Kuoooooh!

I barely avoided the incoming teeth and the stomping legs. Before I could
wield Unbroken Faith, its tail passed over my head. An electrifying thrill
swept over my body. I wouldn't die because my physique was over level 20,
but it was dizzying.

Maybe I had been lucky until now. I might be the 'sunfish' rather than Yoo
Joonghyuk.

Sukak! Supaak!

Meanwhile, Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye was steadily dealing damage from
the rear. It was a combination of 'Sword Training' and 'Kendo'. Noticeable
sword wounds were being dealt to the T-Rex's big legs. If this continued, it
might take some time but the T-Rex would be defeated.

"Hyung! I'll draw its attention!"

The boy didn't listen to me about staying in the rear.

"No, Gilyoung you―"

"I can do it!"

All of a sudden, Lee Gilyoung came forward and started to make an
unknown signal. I wanted to say something. Then a huge praying mantis
came from somewhere, stabbed the T-Rex's eyes and fled. It was the Titano
that Lee Gilyoung had been talking to before.

Kuooooh!

The T-Rex's eyes moved confusedly as it followed the praying mantis that
disturbed its vision. Lee Gilyoung used dazzling hand movements to
control the praying mantis. I looked at Lee Gilyoung with a fresh mindset.

Wasn't this guy actually a hugely fraudulent character? No wonder why

Yoo Joonghyuk coveted him.

Kuwoooh!

Thanks to Lee Gilyoung's success, the battlefield quickly became

advantageous. The T-Rex's movements became duller while a red light
shone in Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye's eyes.

[Demon Slayer].

It made them vulnerable to mental attacks but it was a good skill that made
them stronger when they were excited. The sight of the two women's eyes
burning as they watched the rainforest was truly spectacular.

It was a pity that I had lost Lee Jihye to Yoo Joonghyuk. However, Jung
Heewon also had overwhelming growth potential. Judge of Destruction was
a good attribute and she didn't have a sponsor yet.

It felt like the T-Rex's stamina had decreased considerably. It was time to
deal the final blow.

[Blade of Faith is activated!]

I started to focus my remaining magic power. I didn't have a sponsor, nor
was I as fast as Jung Heewon or Lee Jihye. But that didn't mean my attack
power was weak. I had a fraudulent system that overcame all of this.

Kuoooooh!

Ether Blade.

[The special option of Unbroken Faith is activated.]

[The ether property is converted to 'fire'.]

An enormous amount of magic power was sucked in and my physical

fatigue became extreme. But I didn't mind because there was a way to
supplement it later.

The blade increased by one meter and was surrounded by flames.

I ran to the rear of the Tyrannosaurus.

"Everybody out of the way!"

The moment that the Tyrannosaurus hesitated and its movements slowed, I
climbed its tail. I almost fell over a few times because I didn't have the
'Sense of Balance' but I somehow held on by stabbing the blade into the
epidermis.

Kuoooooh!

The T-Rex poured out blood and its body rolled across the ground. I
rammed the blade in wherever I could. Flames poured into the wounds
caused by the blade.

The yellow eyes of the T-Rex stared at me as it gasped painfully, before

finally dying.

[You have succeeded in being the first to hunt the 7th grade species
'Tyrannosaurus Rex!']

[You have obtained 1,000 coins as compensation.]

"Ah…we really got it."

"I knew we could do it."

Jung Heewon breathed heavily as she spoke with a proud expression on her
face. She could be proud because the T-Rex was top-ranked among the 7th
grade monsters. Lee Jihye belatedly rushed towards me.

"I had it!"

"What? It would've taken a long time if you continued hitting it like

that." I wiped off my sword while speaking. Jung Heewon asked.

"But was a Tyrannosaurus killed in this movie?"

"No but isn't this more fun?"

"…Huh?"

"The genre is fantasy, action and adventure. This should be enough."

At this moment, a system message flashed in my head.

[The theater owner is satisfied with the changed ending of the movie.]

Jung Heewon screamed like it was absurd.

"Eek?"

Yes. The strategy of Theatre Dungeon wasn't to see the 'real ending'.
If so, Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't have been able to beat this dungeon. It was
to create the desired ending for the 'theatre master' at the core of this
dungeon. Please note that the theatre owner was an extreme psychopath.

"Do you understand now? We just need to smash it."

In other words, if we removed all the obstacles to the ending, the movie
would end naturally.

[Now you can move to the next floor.]

[Go to the helipad on top of the research laboratory.]

"We will move in a little while. We have to get some rewards."

I started exploring the area around the T-Red. Soon after, I found one of the
guys who entered before us. The rest were eaten or mutilated by the T-Rex.
"Hey, wake up."

"U-Uwooh…"

Blood was constantly flowing from the man. The wounds were from the
TRex's claws. The bones were revealing, making it obvious that this person
couldn't recover.

"Breathe slowly."

"C-Cough! …Alive…"

I fed the man drinking water I had brought in. The man drank some water
before coughing up blood again. I was forced to urgently ask him questions.

"How did you come here?"

"P-Prophet…"

"Who are the prophets?"

The man's breathing was getting rougher.

"R-Revelation… received…"

…Revelation?

"I want to… live…"

Blood burst out from the man's mouth. He finally died. Jung Heewon and
the others came up behind me.

"That person…?"

I shook my head and looked down at the fallen man.

'Revelation'. What funny bullshit.

As far as I knew, only Anna Croft had the ability of 'Future Sight' in Ways
of Survival.

Then there was only one answer.

…There was someone else besides me. But they didn't know as much as I
did. The proof was that they didn't dare come here in person to test out the
information.

"Dokja-ssi?"

"Take a break."

We covered the man's body with a large lead and gathered near the dad
TRex. W had to hurry to pursue Yoo Joonghyuk. But if we didn't get
enough rest, the party would be wiped out before we met him.

I searched the T-Rex's body.

I looked at the head and heart but unfortunately, I couldn't find any monster
cores. That didn't mean there was no income. Jung Heewon drooled as she
watched the T-Rex being cooked over the fire.

"…Can we eat this?"

"We can eat it because it is cooked with magic flames. The unripe parts can
be cooked with the Magic Power Stove."

We sat side by side around the T-Rex's leg. As we cut the cooked flesh of
the T-Rex little by little, steam rose. Lee Gilyoung shouted.

"Fresh meat!"

Lee Jihye hurriedly rushed up and grabbed a pierce first. The rest of the
group, including myself, also picked large pieces of flesh. Meat of this size?
It was a luxury that couldn't be dreamt of back when I was an office
worker. Lee Jihye closed her eyes while enjoying the taste. Then she
murmured in an ecstatic voice.

"Ah, the best taste in the world…"

It really was delicious.

The fat was properly wrapped around the muscles, making it different from
the ground rats. The feeling every time I took a bit… If Yoo Sangah was
here, she would've cried.

After I consumed the meat, I felt my stamina recovering. The meat of an

advanced species had these special effects. However, caution was required
in some cases. Jung Heewon sighed.

"Phew… I ate well. It is really delicious but I will cry if I eat anymore."

We had a moderate rest and then headed straight to the laboratory in the
center of the island.
We encountered several raptors on the way but they were easy after the
TRex.

There were many flasks and ampoules in the laboratory. There were small
incubators containing dinosaur embryos and blood samples collected. There
was only one thing missing.

My eyes caught a few items as we entered the inner corridor.

[Physique Enhancing Ampoule]

[Magic Power Enhancing Ampoule]

[Agility Enhancing Ampoule]

[Strength Enhancing Ampoule]

As expected, it was here. I started to pack the ampoules. Just like the
Ichthyosaur's Core, these comprehensive stat growth items were available
only in the early scenarios.

It wasn't just one or two ampoules. There were close to 20 bottles. If this
was the case, my stats would be able to level up explosively. It was in
anticipation of this hidden scenario that I saved coins instead of investing
them in my stats.

These ampoules were only available when the corresponding stat was less
than level 30.

"Ahjussi, what did you find now?"

…Ah, this ghost-like girl.

"What? Physique Enhancement Ampoule?"

Lee Jihye's eyes shone as she grabbed one ampoule.

"Are you trying to eat these alone?"

"Eat them all? Of course I will share it."

"Unni, look at this! Ahjussi…!"

The other people in the party came closer due to the turmoil. Jung Heewon
was shocked when she checked the item information.

"Oh my god… what are these items?"

"…This is a hidden scenario."

I spoke with a bit of disgruntlement. Damn, this was a bit difficult. I didn't
catch the T-Rex alone so taking all the items pricked my conscience…

[Some constellations are displeased with the situation.]

Lee Jihye looked at the Strength Enhancement Ampoule and opened her
mouth.

"Can you give me the Strength Enhancement Ampoule? I am a bit lacking

in strength."

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]

It was a summary version that only contained the comprehensive stats.

 [Character Summary]

Name: Lee Jihye

Exclusive Attributes: Scarred Sword Demon (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Sword Training Lv. 4, Demon Slaying Lv. 1,

Absolute Sense Lv. 2, Ghost Walk Lv. 2.

Stigma: Sea Battle Lv. 1, Large Army Command Lv. 1.

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 13, Strength Lv. 17, Agility Lv. 13,
Magic Power Lv. 10.

This damn girl…

"Huh? Heewon unni, can't I have it?"

"Um, Dokja-ssi was the one who discovered it so it is his decision…"

Frankly, it didn't matter if the other party members received them but
giving them to Lee Jihye was a bit of a waste. She was part of Yoo
Joonghyuk's group anyway.
[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' expects your fairness.]

Fairness… yes, let's pick the most unbiased game I knew.

I smiled and made a suggestion.

"How about rock paper scissors?"

"Rock paper scissors?"

"There will be one winner at the end."

Greed filled Lee Jihye's face.

"Okay!"

"Well… I will do what Dokja-ssi wants. But is it okay? It could be a

mistake."

"Then doesn't that mean he is unlucky?"

Lee Jihye asked. She was excited at the thought of getting a share of the
items.

"Let's start with a Strength Enhancement Ampoule."

I put out the Strength Enhancement Ampoule and said to Lee Jihye.

"You will face me."

"I'm good at rock paper scissors. Will it be okay?"

"Ah, is that so?"

I smiled at Lee Jihye.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 1 has been

activated!]

[The character 'Lee Jihye' has prepared 'scissors'. ]

 Chapter 39: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, III

[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is curious about your scam.]

[Constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]

The winner of the rock paper scissors was decided in an instant. Lee
Gilyoung's face was slightly flushed while Jung Heewon had a satisfied
expression. Lee Jihye flopped to the ground with a devastated expression.

"…This is ridiculous!"

Unfortunately, I couldn't read Lee Gilyoung's mind so two ampoules went

to him.

"You don't have to give it to me…"

"Take it."

He was cute. I stroked Lee Gilyoung's head.

In addition, Jung Heewon won two Physique Enhancement Ampoules. Jung
Heewon received them with a smile.

"Thank you. It was tough so far with my physique."

It was only Lee Jihye who didn't obtain any ampoules.

"How can you beat me 18 out of 20 times? Did you cheat?"

"I am originally good at rock paper scissors."

"Are you really going to do this? Can't you give me just one…"

"You have Yoo Joonghyuk."

I ignored Lee Jihye's whines and packed the ampoules.

Jung Heewon patted the shoulder of the grouchy Lee Jihye while staring at
Lee Jihye's shining sword.

"Little sister, the world has to be fair."

Dudududu. There was the sound of the helicopter's propellers. Lee

Gilyoung looked at the distant dinosaur island and asked, "Hyung, can't I
take it to the next floor?"

The big praying mantis was sitting in Lee Gilyoung's lap and talking to Lee
Gilyoung. The praying mantis rubbed its antenna against Lee Gilyoung's
jaw.

"Unfortunately, you can't take it."

Lee Gilyoung's hugged the praying mantis with a sad expression.

"…Take care Titano."

Kwiiik.

He had already given it a name. Unfortunately, monsters created in Theatre

Dungeon couldn't move to another floor.

However, items could be taken to other floors. For example, I had the
ampoules that increased stats and the item I was now holding.

[Tyrant T-Rex's DNA Ampoule]

The golden ampoule was the most decisive reason for choosing this movie.
It was an item that increased all stats by 10 for 30 minutes after ingestion.
Although it had the disadvantage that it could only be used in Theatre
Dungeon, it was impossible to break through the last floor of this dungeon
without this item.

Especially if Yoo Joonghyuk was in the worst situation as I thought.

The praying mantis that Lee Gilyoung released flew in the air and the dark
sky started to collapse.

[The first 'Ending Credit' has been reached.]

[Performers: Kim Dokja, Jung Heewon, Lee Jihye, Lee Gilyoung.]

[You have obtained 500 coins as compensation.]

I felt some dizziness and we appeared on the ground floor again. After we
escaped, the movie posted on the wall was torn. It was evidence that we
safely cleared it. Lee Jihye was complaining.

"Do you have to pass a few more floors like this?"

"Yoo Joonghyuk will have broken most of it so it will be faster than you
think."
We headed straight to the second floor via the escalator. From the second
floor, the remaining space was narrow because it was the full-fledged
theatre. Jung Heewon asked.

"There's no change?"

No matter how long we waited, the environment on the second floor didn't
change. The camera wasn't seen and the screening didn't start either.
Looking closer, all the posters on the second floor were torn. Lee Jihye
noticed something.

"Is it only the movies whose posters are intact?"

I checked the torn posters one by one.

Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo del Toro… a giant robots righting

movie?
Too bad. If this had been intact then I could've gotten the reward of
Hardened Gloves.

Inception directed by Christopher Nolan… it was good that this one was
torn.

"Wow, I wanted to watch this."

I saw the poster that Lee Jihye was looking at.

"Do you like superheroes?

"Yes."

"It is fortunate. Otherwise you would hate it after this."

"…I see."

On the torn poster, a green monster was roaring at us.We went straight up
to the third floor.
"It is the same here."

All the posters on the third floor were torn as well. Yoo Joonghyuk had
properly swept through it. It was fortunate since there were a lot of
dangerous movies on the third floor.

Final Destination directed by James Wong… that bastard Yoo Joonghyuk,

how did he break this? This was an annihilation movie.

"We are going up faster than I expected?"

Unlike Jung Heewon's bright voice, I was nervous every time we climbed a
floor. Clearing the Theatre Dungeon required some luck. Some of the
posters on each floor weren't covered in Ways of Survival. Yoo Joonghyuk
didn't clear all movies.

There was a system message when we entered the fourth floor.

[You have entered the fourth floor.]

The spotlight poured down without giving me time to look at the posters.
Jung Heewon gathered both hands together and prayed.

"Please don't be a ghost movie…"

I glanced at Jung Heewon and she gave me an excuse.

"Ghosts can't be killed with a sword."

…This was the reason.

[The screening has started!]

The background changed and when we opened our eyes, a sea breeze blew
on the prow of a ship.

"This…?"
Salt was felt in my mouth and the open horizon spread out before me. I was
enraptured by the scenery of the sea. I had been working every day and it
had been a few years since I've travelled anywhere.

"What is this movie?"

Next to me, Jung Heewon was wearing a full length dress.

A violin sound was heard from the inside of the cruise ship and there was
the sound of excited people. It was an incredibly romantic atmosphere from
a
movie…

Oh, I know what this movie is.

Then Lee Jihye's voice was heard. "Oh, accelerating all of a sudden…"

I looked back and saw that Lee Jihye was vomiting. Jung Heewon rushed
over and patted her back. After vomiting for a long time, Lee Jihye said.

"Uh, I get seasick."

"It is okay, just vomit."

…I had wondered this since a while ago. Why did the Duke of Loyalty and
Warfare choose Lee Jihye? No, I read the novel but I just didn't want to
know.

"But Unni… is this the movie? The boat that sinks."

"It seems so."

"Then… perhaps Unni is 'Kate Winslet?'"

Lee Jihye looked at Jung Heewon's dress like she was envious, then she
looked at me.
"Then ahjussi is… DiCaprio? Uweeeek!"

I felt somehow grumpy when I saw her vomiting after saying that. At this
time, Lee Gilyoung emerged from behind me.

"Hyung!"

Lee Gilyoung was dressed in formal clothing. This clothing was somewhat
familiar…

Anyway, everyone was gathered.

"There is no time."

The ship was now sinking. Unfortunately, the solution to this movie didn't
appear in Ways of Survival.

How could we beat the Titanic? Was it a fight with the sea?

Lee Jihye was the first to comment.

"The ship is sinking anyway. Do we just have to sink with it?"

"That is a little…"

It was frustrating. It would've been better if the movie had a clear enemy to
crush.

"Let's look for the villain hyung."

This was Lee Gilyoung's opinion. I didn't know if there was an obvious
villain this movie., But since I couldn't think of anything else, I decided to
follow it.

"Then let's handle the villain."

We started moving. By the way, who was this movie's villain? The last time
I watched the Titanic…

But I didn't need to worry. The villain came to find us. A man in a clean
suit was staring over here.

"Jack Dawson!"

Wait, Jack Dawson… the role that DiCaprio played? But the man wasn't
looking at me.

"…Me?"

…He was DiCaprio? I sighed as I looked at Lee Gilyoung.

After a while, we kidnapped a person we thought was the villain of the

movie. But the theater master didn't respond. It wasn't enough to kidnap
him…

I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

"Then…"

"Let's kill him."

Lee Jihye pulled out her sword and pointed it. It was at a man struggling
while his body was tied up.

"The theater master is a psychopath? Then isn't the answer to kill him
quickly?"

I thought so as well. No, I was sure of it.

It was the answer to another movie like this in Ways of Survival. But Jung
Heewon gazed at the man in horror and unexpected said,

"But…he looks like a real person."

"…Huh?"

"This is a movie but he is just like a real person."

It was surprising that Jung Heewon said this when she had been neatly
subjugating the weak a few days ago. Then again, Jung Heewon had said
something like this: 'I might be a killer but I don't want to become a
monster'.

Lee Jihye asked, "Unni, what are you saying this type of sentimental thing
now? You don't want to kill him?"

"No, that isn't it…"

"It is good to save people. But if this person doesn't die, we will die. We are
definitely alive but this guy is just a character!"

Characters…

I felt bemused at Lee Jihye's words.

Jung Heewon looked at me. "…Do you think so?"

"Even if this guy is a 'real' person, he is still a bad guy! Why is killing him
bad?"

Lee Jihye's words might be right. This guy was definitely a villain of the
scenario and would do bad things. So it was okay to kill him. Funnily
enough, it was the logic that Yoo Joonghyuk often spoke about in Ways of
Survival.

The moment I opened my mouth, Lee Jihye hurriedly drew her sword.
"Sigh, what is this? Master could be dying right now!"

The blade descended and pierced the man's chest. Blood poured out. It was
incredibly realistic. Then a system message was heard.

[The theater owner is satisfied with the changed ending of the movie.]

[The stern of the ship will lead to the next floor.]

"Look, I did it properly. Right?"

Lee Jihye shouted triumphantly.

The answer obviously wasn't wrong. The theater master acknowledged this
and the constellations would give coins for our actions. We would survive
with these coins.

It was a way of living that destroyed this world.

[The second 'Ending Credit' has been reached.]

[Performers: Kim Dokja, Jung Heewon, Lee Jihye, Lee Gilyoung.]

[You have obtained 500 coins as compensation.]

We weren't able to get a reward item from Titanic. Thus, we went straight
to the next floor and followed the guidance of the system message.

[You have entered the fifth floor, the rewards room.]

Once we climbed the escalator, the rewards room finally showed up.

"Rewards room? It isn't a scary movie?"

"This is an exhibition hall. It was a place they used to show original movie
props."
In fact, I knew this but I once again acted ignorant.

Various movie props appeared in glass tubes. Equipment and costumes

used by the main characters of various movies, stage accessories… The
funny thing was that they were no longer props.

Jung Heewon approached a glass tube and shouted.

"Oh my god, look at this!"

[Mikazuki Munechika – Replica] A-grade sword.

Jung Heewon's eyes sparkled as she looked at the glass tube and I nodded.

"You've finally obtained a proper sword, Heewon-ssi."

"Whoa…"

It was obviously a great sword at first glance. The originally groll horn
knife wasn't comparable and it wasn't lacking when compared to Lee
Jihye's blade.

Jung Heewon started to swing the sword in his hand.

"Isn't this amazing? It is light and moves properly!"

I had never seen Jung Heewon like this.

[The character 'Jung Heewon' is deeply grateful to you.]

It was nothing.

The main purpose of targeting the Theatre Dungeon was the 'compensation'
of the fifth floor. The Theatre Dungeon was a good place to farm for items
early on. In particular, Jung Heewon would become stronger with this
weapon.
[The reward items are limited to two per person.]

It wasn't a genuine 'star relic', it was just a movie prop, but the replica
version had characteristics of the original item. A-grade items were close to
a scam in the early stages.

By the way, Yoo Joonghyuk had already passed through here. Two items
were already gone.

"Pick your items. Each one can only obtain two so choose carefully."

I told Jung Heewon to pick an item Yoo Sangah could use while I found
one for Lee Hyunsung. This one seemed useable.

[Heracles' Shield- Replica] A-grade shield.

Good… It was an item that couldn't be compared with the Old Iron Shield. I
thought of how Lee Hyunsung's eyes would shine with loyalty towards me
and already felt warm.

Lee Jihye, who claimed to be a fan of superheroes, was trying to pull an

item from the corner.

"Ah, why can't I hold this?"

I came closer. This was it.

[Mjolnir – Replica] A-grade

blunt weapon.

The hammer of the god of lightning, Thor. It would've been an enormous

item if it was a genuine star relic… still, the quality of the original was so
great that the performance of the replica was significant.
I watched Lee Jihye groaning as she grabbed the hammer that couldn't be
moved.

"Isn't this an item that only someone special can use?"

"Damn, I'm not special?"

At this time, Lee Gilyoung came up behind her and reached out to Mjolnir.

"Hey Kid! This is mine…"

Mjolnir was lightly lifted by Lee Gilyoung's hands. Lee Gilyoung swung
the hammer around before looking at me.

"Hyung, can I have it?"

"Yes, it looks good."

Lee Jihye once again looked stunned.

"Only I am unhappy… just me…"

I ignored her and searched the remaining items. Let's see what was left.

[External Reinforced Suit – Replica] A-grade protective clothing.

I didn't know what would happen in the future but it would be nice to
supplement my defense. Once I wore the suit, it wrapped around my arms
and legs.

[Damage from external attacks is reduced by 10%.]

[The ability to detect enemies is improved.]

[You can move more agilely than before.]

It was a bit frustrating but it was still better than not wearing it. In
particular, I thought about the fight waiting at the end of this.

Now the preparations were finished.

Since there were no significant changes in the dungeon, it was clear that
Yoo Joonghyuk was alive. If we moved quickly through the sixth floor, we
might be able to meet on the seventh floor. In the worst case scenario, if he
was fighting the boss on the eighth floor… at least he was still alive.

Now, let's go and get our damn regressor back.

 Chapter 40: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, IV

Unfortunately, Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't on the sixth floor.

The only comfort was that the movie on the sixth floor was easy. It was a
typical thriller directed by Bryan Singer. I knew the killer so it was possible
to clear it quickly.

[The theater owner is satisfied with the changed ending of the movie.]

[You have obtained 500 coins as compensation.]

Lee Jihye asked as if she was dumbfounded.

"…He was really the killer?"

"Don't tell me it is a spoiler? There is actually someone here who hasn't

seen
it."
[The constellation 'Secretive Plotter' hates spoilers.]

In any case, an item was rewarded due to the movie's unique characteristics.
[Skill Book: Calm Observation.]

Calm Observation. It was quite a useful skill.

This skill allowed the user to see the movements of the target and figure out
their overall stats. It didn't mean much to me since I could use Character
List, but it would be quite useful for people like Yoo Sangah and Lee
Gilyoung. This skill would be good against enemies excellent at acting.

[The exclusive skill 'Calm Observation' has been acquired.]

Still, I felt a bit sad. It would be nice to experience a movie like Gladiator.

I had yet to obtain a suitable combat passive skill. He might purchase the
skill Weapons Training but it wasn't a good idea to spend coins on the skill
right now.

"…Now I am tired of movies."

I agreed with Jung Heewon's words. I didn't want to look at a movie theatre
for a while. I should just be satisfied with the high performance fee.

We went directly up to the seventh floor. Maybe this time we could see
Yoo
Joonghyuk's back…

Damn. Most of the posters on the seventh floor were torn. Yes, Yoo
Joonghyuk was now in the boss room. Under these circumstances, there
was really no time to delay.

"Run. It is almost the last floor."

We started to run. We had to catch up with that guy as fast as possible.

Before he gave up everything.
We passed through the auditoriums and ran down the aisles. The posters on
the 7th floor were of Korean movies popular in the past.

Shit, please let all of them be torn…

However, unlike what I hoped, the last poster was still intact.

"Damn…"

[The screening will begin.]

The blue spotlight covered the party and the scene changed. My head spun
and a salty smell entered my nose.

The stage was the sea. But… this time it wasn't a cruise ship. There was the
smell of artillery. I could feel rough wood of the panokseon¹ deck.

The moment I turned my head on the shaky boat, I heard someone's voice.

"Everybody, down—!"

I reflexively fell down and there was a bombardment of gunfire around me.
Tang tang tang tang― A few soldiers collapsed while bleeding.

"Protect the ship―!"

The soldiers dressed in old military garb were rushing around. An uneasy
wind blew as war took place. The turbulent Myeongnyang Strait was
swirling and there was the distant sound of drums.

Dammit.

There was no Korean who didn't know this movie. It was because this
movie had been watched by most South Koreans.

Jung Heewon looked at the horizon and muttered.

"This… how can we win?"

The ending of Theater Dungeon would only open when the master was
satisfied.

Kukukukung!

300 Japanese warships filled the sea. I hurriedly confirmed the power on
our side. Still, this was a movie based on historical facts. There was hope.

"…What is this?"

There was only one Panokseon where there should be 12. I hurriedly
grabbed one of the sailors around him and asked.

"Where is the commander?"

"Comman…der?"

"Admiral Lee!"

The navy sailor had no idea at all. My chest became cold. It was different
from the movie I knew. The theatre master changed the story.

In no time, the enemy narrowed the distance. This was ridiculous. How
could we win the Battle of Myeongnyang without help from the Duke of
Loyalty and Warfare?

I looked around and hurriedly exclaimed.

"Lee Jihye!"
I thought that this might happen. If fact, I brought Lee Jihye not just for her
power but to consider the 'what if's'.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is sorry for Lee Jihye.]

It wasn't difficult to find Lee Jihye. There was only one boat and the place
where Duke of Loyalty and Warfare's messages could be heard was limited.

"U-Uhhhh…"

She was vomiting in a corner of the first floor deck.

"Hey, are you okay?

Lee Jihye looked up at me with moist eyes.

"I can't, I can't do it!"

This wasn't about me.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is encouraging 'Lee Jihye'.]

"Never, I will never do it! Oof…!"

She vomited once again.

I knew. The reason why this person was chosen by Duke of Loyalty and
Warfare, despite hating the sea.

[Due to the effect of your exclusive attribute, memories from the books you
have read will become stronger.]

In my head, a scene from the 40th chapter of Ways of Survival passed.

「 "Hey, how did she get chosen by the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare when
she is afraid of the sea?"
"I don't know. Um… maybe because she has the admiral in her ancestry?"

"…She is the descendent of the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare? 」

There was considerable criticism from a few readers apart from me who
made it to the 40th chapter of Ways of Survival.

No, did it make sense for her to have the blood of the great Duke of Loyalty
and Warfare?

But I had read all the chapters except for the epilogue of Ways of Survival
so I knew. Lee Jihye wasn't of the bloodline of the Duke of Loyalty and
Warfare.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' misses his old friend when he sees
'Lee Jihye'.]

「 "Then are you a Lee from the Deoksu clan?"

"No, I am a Jeonju Lee." 」

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' looks at the descendant of an old

friend.]

Lee Jihye was the descendant of Lee Eokgi, the companion of the Duke of
Loyalty and Warfare.

Duke of Firmness and Compassion, Lee Eokgi.

Along with the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare, he led the navy to victory in
the Battle of Tanghangpo and the Battle of Hansan-do. He was one of the
few who defended the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare, Yi Sunsin when he
was arrested on unfair charges. However, he didn't have enough myths and
didn't become a sponsor.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' is looking at 'Lee Jihye' with sad
eyes.]
Due to that, the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare selected Lee Jihye.

She wasn't his descendant but the descendant of his closest confidant.
Maybe it was simply the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare's choice.

Perhaps the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare didn't see it.

The fact that the descendant of his deceased confidant and friend would be
killed by his own hands and become a demon.

Well… this was according to the setting of Ways of Survival.

[A bounty scenario has occurred!]

[Bounty Scenario – Those who seek death shall live. Those who seek
life will die]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: B+

Clear Conditions: The 'Maritime War God' is asking you for help.
Encourage Lee Jihye, incarnation of Duke of Loyalty and Warfare, and
win the Battle of Myeongnyang.

Time Limit: 2 hours

Compensation: A stigma from the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare.

Failure: ―

I doubted my eyes for a moment.

The bounty scenarios were rarely requested by a constellation alone. I
looked closely because it was strange and saw that the reward was also
extraordinary.

…The stigma of the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare?

If I cleared this scenario, I would be able to use one of the Duke of Loyalty
and Warfare's stigmas without signing a contract. I shook Lee Jihye.

"Lee Jihye, stop it. Quickly."

"I don't want to! Urgh… The three of you can handle it!"

"Can't you endure it a little bit?"

"…Endure? Ahjussi doesn't know."

I didn't know…

Yes, this was her manner of talking. However, there was no time to accept
her childish actions.

"No, I know. You aren't like this because of seasickness."

"…What?"

"It is because your dead friend liked this movie."

Lee Jihye shook, like a boxer hit in the jaw. It was like a scene rushing into
her head. It was the first scenario at Daepo Girls' High School. She
strangled her friend with her bare hands.

"T-That… How did you…?"

"Don't ask how I know. There is no time to explain."

Lee Jihye looked up at me with blank eyes.

"You killed your friend with your own hands only to die like this?"

The first floor deck was pierced with a hook. I grabbed the hook shooting
towards Lee Jihye with my bare hands. Lee Jihye shook as she looked at
me. "You can run away here or not. You will never be forgiven. But―"

There were loud shouts. I could hear the sound of Japanese raiders jumping
on the ship.

"If you wake up now, at least you can save some people."

I came up onto the second floor deck with the trembling Lee Jihye.

Lee Gilyoung and Jung Heewon were already surrounded. I raised my

weapon. The enemies were ordinary Japanese soldiers. We wouldn't lose in
a one on one battle. The problem was that there were too many numbers.

"Kuaaak!"

I sliced at the incoming soldiers but couldn't seen an end to it. The enemy
ships were firing from a distance. We were finished if this ship sunk. The
movie would end tragically and we would die here.

"Lee Jihye!"

I realized the greatness of Yi Sunsin.

How did he lead this battle to victory?

"Wake up now!"

This was a cursed scenario. We didn't have Song Yeojung or Jung

Eungdoo. (Apparently close companions of Yi Sunsin)

All we had was a weak girl protected by the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare.
The girl staggered on the deck of the second floor.
"I-I'm disgusting. I…I don't deserve to be alive…"

Yes, it was disgusting. I was disgusting along with the way that I was using
her.

"No one would be qualified."

"U-Ughhh…"

Tears endlessly poured from Lee Jihye's eyes. I held Heracles' Shield and
stood in front of her.

Kwang! Kwaang! Kwaang!

"Survive and take responsibility! Atone for the rest of your life or live a
garbage life. Just somehow survive!"

The ship was being broken by the indiscriminate shelling. I turned to her
with cold eyes.

"Or do you really want to die here?"

[Your understanding of the character 'Lee Jihye' has increased.]

All types of emotions came from the crying Lee Jihye. She was drowning
in the dark emotions of resentment, self-contempt and disillusionment with
the world. Nevertheless, there was a straightforward emotion under it.

「 I don't want to die. 」

The constellations were selfish. There were those who didn't support their
incarnation or didn't care if their incarnation died or not. But.

As long as any constellation was in the stage of their 'myth', they wouldn't
turn away from their incarnation.
[The constellation 'Maritime War God' has responded to the will of 'Lee
Jihye'.]

A brilliant red light burst around Lee Jihye's body. It was good for Yoo
Joonghyuk but I didn't get nothing. I had something to gain.

[The character 'Lee Jihye' has received a new stigma.]

The third stigma of Sword Demon Lee Jihye. It was the strongest stigma
that would later make her a maritime admiral.

"…Your Majesty."

Lee Jihye held the hilt of her sword and looked at the sea. There were many
enemies and no allies. She quietly turned her sword towards the world.

"I still have 12 ships left."

A radiant beam emerged from the end of her sword.

[The character 'Lee Jihye' has activated the stigma 'Ghost Fleet Lv. 1!]

Water vapor rose in the area. Water sprayed all over the place and 12 ghost
ships appeared in the sea.

"Get revenge on the enemies."

The drumming paused like it was embarrassed. Shells flew towards the
ghost fleet. However, the ghost fleet was disembodied and didn't suffer any
damages.

"Die in this place."

Finally, Lee Jihye's fleet started to move forward. 12 ships moved through
the water, creating countless ripples. The white barrels started firing and the
ships blocking the path collapsed helplessly.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

The girl who didn't cry led the battlefield.

In front of the ghost fleet, the warships were completely overwhelmed. It

wasn't just me., Jung Heewon and Lee Gilyoung also gaped at the scene.

This was the real power of a 'stigma'. It was the power of the admiral that
wasn't pushed by anyone in a maritime war.

In the fading light of the sunset, the screams of the Japanese were heard
from among the smoke. The whirlpool of Myeongnyang Strait sucked in
the dead bodies. It took less than an hour for the last enemy ship to
collapse.

[The theater owner is satisfied with the changed ending of the movie.]

[The fourth 'Ending Credit' has been reached.]

[Performers: Kim Dokja, Jung Heewon, Lee Jihye, Lee Gilyoung.]

[You have obtained 500 coins as compensation.]

As soon as we received the ending credit, additional messages came up.

[The bounty scenario is cleared.]

[You have received the Maritime War God's reward for the bounty
scenario.] Frankly, I was filled with expectations. Maybe I would get Ghost
Fleet. If I could just get it then I wouldn't be envious of Lee Jihye.

[The stigma 'Song of the Sword' has been acquired.]

I thought I heard wrong when the message popped up.

The stigma Song of the Sword. This was originally a stigma that Lee Jihye
acquired midway in the story. Yet the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare gave
me this stigma.

[The constellation 'Maritime War God' thanks you.]

In a sense, this skill was something I needed more than Ghost Fleet right
now. If I had this stigma, I might be able to prevent the worst from
happening on the eighth floor.

The surrounding scenery slowly changed and we returned to the inside of

the movie theatre. The exhausted Lee Jihye was staring at me.

"Ahjussi."

"You rest here. We will go to save Yoo Joonghyuk."

"But…"

"Listen up."

I obtained a new stigma but I didn't have time to laugh. No matter how
good the stigma, there was no meaning if this 'world' was over. In order to
prevent that 'end', I had to save Yoo Joonghyuk.

I distributed the ampoules I gathered to everyone. When raising the stats

level, the coins consumption was increased every 10 levels. Therefore, I
would use my coins first before the ampoules.

[4,000 coins have been consumed.]

[The comprehensive enhancement ampoules have been used.]

[Physique Lv. 18 -> Physique Lv. 24]

[Strength Lv. 18 -> Strength Lv. 24]

[Agility Lv. 11 -> Agility Lv. 20]

[Magic Power Lv. 10 -> Magic Power Lv. 15]

[All stats have increased significantly!]

We climbed the last stairway.

"Everyone, get ready."

[You have entered the eighth floor, the Heavenly Garden.]

The eighth floor of the theatre was a rooftop. It was a small dome
reminiscent of an opera house. As soon as I stepped on the green grass of
the rooftop, I found the back of the regressor I was looking for.

Ah…

When I thought about all those who would suffer if he died, my anger
soared. Fortunately, the back of his head was good enough to be hit.

"Hey Yoo Joonghyuk!"

I ran towards Yoo Joonghyuk and hit him in the back of the head.

[1] Panokseon ("board roofed" ship) – an oar and sail propelled Korean
ship that was the main class of warship used by Joseon during the late 16th
century.
 Chapter 41: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, V

The cold sensation numbed my fingers. Dammit, I really wanted to beat this
guy up. But…

There was something strange.

"…Yoo Joonghyuk?"

This guy, he didn't look back. A grey-white aura was flowing from Yoo
Joonghyuk's body. The aura felt ominous and caused my hairs to rise.

I instinctively took a step back. Looking closer, the aura was connected to
an old man sitting on a chair on the eighth floor. I knew everything the
moment I saw this old man.

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has been revealed.]

…Dammit, it had become like this. Yoo Joonghyuk emanated the whitish
aura and slowly turned towards me. It was the worst situation.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has controlled the character 'Yoo
Joonghyuk'.]

Goosebumps covered my entire body. A formidable killing intent was

rising from the guy who lost all sense of reason. There was no 'character' in
the world who could stop this guy now.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has used Force Palm Lv.

4!] I barely managed to open my mouth.

"W-Wait a minute!"

Kwaaaang!

I experienced a strong pain in my side and my consciousness became numb.

As this person who did as he liked shot forward, pages flipped through my
head. I was alert.

「 …The 8th turn Yoo Joonghyuk didn't die in Theatre Dungeon because
he was weak. Strictly speaking, Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't lucky.

The boss of the 'Theatre Dungeon' is the worst opponent for a regressor lie
Yoo Joonghyuk… 」

My breathing was back.

"Kuhup…heook."

[The External Reinforced Suit is damaged.]

[There is a reduction in the defense.]

I got up while holding my abdomen. It was a really nonsensical attack

power. I ate so many ampoules yet still received this much damage from
one blow?
One blow dealt huge damage and I was blown away to the other side of the
rooftop.

[The character 'Jung Heewon' has used Demon Slaying Lv. 2!]

In the distance, Jung Heewon's eyes were burning. I tried to get up but my
body wasn't listening to me.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has used Hundred Steps Godly Fists Lv.
4!]

The current Jung Heewon wasn't Yoo Joonghyuk's opponent. She could
endure a few blows due to Demon Slaying but blood started to emerge
from Jung Heewon's mouth.

Yoo Joonghyuk was much stronger than I expected.

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]

[There is too much information about this person. Character List is

converted to Character Summary.]

[Only randomly specified items will be displayed according to User's

convenience.]
 [Character Summary]
Name: Yoo Joonghyuk.

Exclusive Attributes: Regressor (3rd turn) (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Sage's Eye Lv. 8, Hand to Hand Combat Lv. 8,

Advanced Weapons Training Lv. 5, Mental Barrier Lv. 5, Hundred
Steps Godly Fists Lv. 2, Red Phoenix Shunpo Lv. 1…Omitted…

Stigma: Regression Lv. 3, Transmission Lv. 1

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 28, Strength Lv. 27, Agility Lv. 26, Magic
Power Lv. 25.

* The character is currently in a loss of reason state.

This bastard. He activated a new stigma.

Transmission. It was a stigma that allowed Yoo Joonghyuk to wake up the

skills he had in the past over time. Through this stigma, Yoo Joonghyuk
would become a full-scale monster.

"Master!"

At this time, Lee Jihye came upstairs. The jerk flying towards Jung Heewon
turned towards Lee Jihye.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

"Kyaaack!"

Thanks to the favour of the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare or maybe Ghost
Walk, Lee Jihye fortunately avoided the blow. I shouted toward Lee Jihye.
"He is being controlled! Go after the theater master!"

However, Lee Jihye wasn't free enough to do so. In the end, we couldn't
reach the theatre master without going through Yoo Joonghyuk.

Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye's eyes crossed. Their swords moved towards
Yoo Joonghyuk at the same time.

It was the combo of Kendo and Sword Training. But the combo that
damaged even the T-Rex didn't work on Yoo Joonghyuk.

"Kuheok!"

Lee Jihye was hit in the face with Hundred Steps Godly Fists, spat out
blood and collapsed.

[The character 'Jung Heewon' has activated the exclusive skill 'Judgment
Time'.]

[Constellations of the Absolute Good system are silent at Jung Heewon's

request.]

[The skill has been cancelled.]

Jung Heewon cursed.

"Dammit…not this guy as well?"

It was natural. Yoo Joonghyuk was ruthless but his essence was 'righteous'.

Jung Heewon was hit by a force punch and lost her sword, rolling across
the ground. In this desperate moment, Lee Gilyoung used the special skill
'Mjolnir's Thunder' from behind me.

Kukukung!
[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has offset the impact of the attack with
'Lightning Resistance'.

Yoo Joonghyuk looked this way. Shit. I knew he would be strong but… this
much? I touched Lee Gilyoung's shoulder and staggered forward.

"Gilyoung. Please. Do you know what to do?"

Lee Gilyoung quickly noticed and immediately nodded.

"Yes, hyung."

"I'm sorry."

"No."

Lee Gilyoung started to mumble something straight away. Lee Gilyoung's

pupils slowly reversed. I didn't want to do this but now I had to mobilize all
my cards.

[You have used the Tyrant T-Rex's DNA Ampoule.]

[All stats will explosively increase for 30 minutes!]

Yes…let's fight you son of a bitch.

[Physique Lv. 24 -> Physique Lv. 34]

[Strength Lv. 24 -> Strength Lv. 34]

[Agility Lv. 20 -> Agility Lv. 30]

[Magic Power Lv. 15 -> Magic Power Lv. 25]

[The vitality in your body is rising!]

[The potential of your muscles have exploded!]

[You can move more agilely than before.]

[Your heart is seething with an unknown energy!]

The gap in insufficient skills was filled with overwhelming stats.

If Yoo Joonghyuk's Transmission was complete, it would be a useless

gamble. But it was possible since the skill level was low.

Still, it would only be for a moment. This moment was good.

[The exclusive skill 'Purest Sword Force Lv. 1' has been activated.]

[The accumulation of stats will increase the level of Purest Sword Force!]

[Purest Sword Force Lv. 1 -> Purest Sword Force Lv. 2.]

The feeling of the magic power at my fingertips changed. I didn't have to

run as he rushed towards me first. I realized my momentum was unusual as
he pulled out his sword for the first time.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has used 'Breaking the Sky Energy Lv. 2'.]

Kakakakak!

Sparks flew from our blades. Neither Yoo Joonghyuk or I stepped back. I
felt tremendous pressure as I gripped the blade. Blue ether burned around
his blade.

At this point, it was wonderful beyond admiration. In the world of Ways of

Survival, higher stats created an absolute gap in power. Now my physical
stats were over 30 while Yoo Joonghyuk's were around 20.

Still, he wasn't pushed by me at all. No, it was to the point where I was
pushed. I gritted my teeth.
[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 2 has been
activated!]

As soon as the skill was activated, Yoo Joonghyuk's thoughts entered my

mind.

「 It is painful. 」

「 Several more times in the future. 」

「 Do I need to repeat this? 」

I was furious. This bastard, already?

"Wake up you jerk!"

I struck his sword with all my might and stretched out a fist towards his
jaw. The attack was possible because I read his movements with
Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.

Supak!

My fist hit his chin and he stumbled for the first time.

「 Once the regression begins, everything will go back to the beginning.

」「All my companions will lose their memories and my history is erased.

」 "You idiot!

「Then everything will repeat again. 」

In fact, sunfish were very durable creatures. They died because they were
vulnerable to stress, not because they were weak.

Just like this guy in front of me.

The theater master was able to control Yoo Joonghyuk was due to his
uneasy mental state. The theatre master had weak physical abilities but the
best mental abilities. If Yoo Joonghyuk's Mental Barrier was over level
80,000, this wouldn't have happened.

「 What am I…? 」

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes were blurred. I was furious once I heard the thoughts
in his head.

"Aren't you a real protagonist?"

As someone who read all 3,149 chapters of Ways of Survival, I was

furious.

"Haven't you only regressed three times?"

I once again hit his head with all my strength. Was it a miracle? The blow
to his jaw slowed him down a bit. I didn't miss the opportunity and kicked
his chest.

"Do you really think so? You have already forgotten the determination of
your first attempt."

「I am the only living thing in this world. 」

A lonely voice.

"You bastard… don't fall into those sentiments."

I shouted while blocking his sword.

"If you can't find the meaning of life in front of you, didn't you decide to
live for the greater cause?"

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]

I didn't know who I was talking to anymore. Hot flames sprang up from the
blade. My eyes stung and my skin became raw from the heat. My voice was
breathless. Maybe I was also lost in the moment.

「 I am alone. 」

It was as if I was Yoo Joonghyuk or even lived Yoo Joonghyuk's life. My

chest was tight.

"Alone?"

「 I… 」

"What did I come here for if you are alone?"

「 I… 」

My sword struck and tore at his hands. Blood flowed and the flesh was
torn. I wielded the sword like a madman. I gritted my teeth.

"Why are you alone? When you died like a fool in the Theatre Dungeon,
when you cried over your dead little sister, when the prophet stabbed you in
the back! When your loved one gave birth to a child…!"

As I was talking, I strangely recalled other memories. Letters and letters

passed. My old memories of Ways of Survival.

"You went crazy after your child died!"

The complex memories of his family affairs and things he experienced

passed through my mind.

"Fighting against the demon kings and the returnees!"

The nightmares of the senior officers in the army.

"Helping people and fighting against the damn reincarnators! When you
finally stood before the constellations!"

The days when I struggled to get a job and when my bosses were vile and
abusive. Everything was in order to live. In order to survive every day.

"Look around you and try to live somehow!"

Even so, I returned home. I felt relieved when reading one novel.

"I…"

My hand holding the blade trembled. I became too excited. Dammit. I just
needed to buy enough time.

I breathed roughly and looked ahead. But…something was strange. Was it

an illusion? It was only a moment but a dim light was returning to Yoo
Joonghyuk's hand.

「 I… 」

Some things couldn't be understood even if I read his mind. My heart

thumped the moment I saw Yoo Joonghyuk's look.

[The excessive immersion has caused the 'Fourth Wall' to shake.]

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes were staring straight at me.

「 You… who are you? 」

 Chapter 42: Ep. 9 – Omniscient Sunfish, VI

"What?"

「 What are you…? 」

I was surprised by the sudden change in thoughts. Surely he didn't regain

his sense of reason after hearing my words? How could that be?

I was a bit confused. In the first place, I didn't start this operation with the
expectation of such a result.

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is embarrassed.]

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has strengthened his control on the

character 'Yoo Joonghyuk'.]

"Kuaaak…!"

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes blurred again.

Indeed. I had felt hope but it was unreasonable for him to wake up himself.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be a sunfish. I would be grateful if he didn't commit
suicide. The ether of Yoo Joonghyuk's sword trembled.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk's Breaking the Sky Energy' has grown!]

In the meantime, the skills received through Transmission were becoming

stronger. It was thanks to the talent of a main character.

The Purest Sword Force gradually collapsed as I kept struggling. I didn't

know if it was the limit of the skill itself or a difference in talent.

I glanced at Lee Gilyoung. Blood was pouring down from Lee Gilyoung's
nose. The time had come.

"Joonghyuk."

Perhaps after today, Yoo Joonghyuk would become surprisingly strong. I

pushed his sword away as hard as I could.

"Do you remember what I asked before? I asked if I could hit you?"

There was a difference in natural talent. In the next few years, Yoo
Joonghyuk would become incomparable stronger than me.

But not right now. At least for now.

"You told me to hit you if I could. Do you remember?"

If I did this now, then at least for a moment…

[Blade of Faith is activated!]

[The special option of Unbroken Faith is activated.]

[The ether property is converted to 'fire'.]

I could overwhelm this ridiculous guy.

Ether Blade. The fire ether appeared in empty space.

Hwaruruk!

Yoo Joonghyuk was surprised by the sudden attack and took a few steps
back. He instinctively felt that it was something extraordinary. But it was
too late.

[The stigma 'Song of the Sword' has been used.]

Song of the Sword. It was one of the strongest combat buffs that the Duke
of Loyalty and Warfare was proud of.

[Your sword is filled with the words left by the Duke of Loyalty and
Warfare.]

There was a large variation in the attack power depending on which verse
was sung, but it was a perfect skill for me right now.

「 Shooting arrows like rain and protecting the generalissimo from guns
firing on all sides. 」

Fortunately, it was a verse from the Nanjung Ilgi¹.

An enormous magic power emerged and all the burning ethers were united.
I swung it towards Yoo Joonghyuk.

「 The chaos was like a thunderstorm. 」

The fire ether took the shape of arrows and started to bombard him. It was
an attack that couldn't be used for a long time due to insufficient magic
power. However,this would suffice.
Dudududududu!

"Kuooh!"

Numerous red wounds appeared all over Yoo Joonghyuk's body.

In this damn world where coins represented all values and the constellations
decided the development of the world, I still needed Yoo Joonghyuk.

Thus, I would protect him today.

Hwaruruk!

Yoo Joonghyuk's actions stopped as flames burned the area. His Fire
Resistance meant it might not be a serious blow, but it was enough to force
him into a state of inactivity. I looked at the 'theater master' sitting at the
edge of the garden.

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is extremely alert to you.]

Now was the only chance. I started running. In the distance, I could see the
theatre master stiffen.

Then.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has used Recovery Lv. 2!]

Dammit, Yoo Joonghyuk was already chasing after me.

Recovery. It was a scam skill where he could recover quickly after being hit
hard once a day. He already obtained this skill due to Transmission.

No matter how fast I ran, I couldn't be faster than Yoo Joonghyuk who used
Red Phoenix Shunpo.

I ignored the theater master in front of me and collided with Yoo

Joonghyuk's sword. I could only believe in my last card. I cried out with all
my strength.

"Gilyoung!"

Kukukung!

The moment I cried out, there was a huge crack in the ceiling of Sky
Garden.

The black dome surrounding the roof was breaking. The Yoo Joonghyuk
running towards me was also the Yoo Joonghyuk manipulated by the
theatre master. He looked up with surprise at the ceiling.

It was generally impossible for the shielded area of a 'hidden scenario' to be

broken. But it was possible for 'uncommon' existences.

In the distance, Lee Gilyoung was crying while wiping his bleeding nose.

"U-Uwahh… uwahhhh…!"

In order to deal with a monster, you had to call a monster.

Kuoooooh!

A huge insect dug into the cracks of the broken dome.

Rattle!

Like thin glass, the dome broke and the roof was split apart. The astonished
theater master screamed. A monster that could destroy the shielded area of
a hidden scenario. It was like a gigantic praying mantis, the insect king of
great size.

[The 6th grade insect king, Titanoptera has appeared!]

It was an appearance that caused goosebumps. The monster that had been
fighting with the poisonous rhino the other day. This monster came here in
response to Lee Gilyoung's Diverse Communication. Lee Gilyoung
laughed.

"He, hehe… Titano…"

Titano? Don't tell me… it did look similar but surely not.

Kuoooooh!

The huge praying mantis flew towards the theatre master. Then Yoo
Joonghyuk blocked it.

[The character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has used 'Strong Self-Defense Lv. 4'.]

Kwaaaaang!

There was a massive sound and Yoo Joonghyuk's body was pushed down
into the floor of the rooftop. Yet Yoo Joonghyuk was still standing.

Ku ku ku ku!

…He was really a ridiculous monster. He could do with a 6th grade species
with his current abilities? Yoo Joonghyuk even launched a counterattack.
Kyaooooh!

The Titanoptera screamed at the hard blow. Surprisingly, Yoo Joonghyuk

was on par with the 6th grade insect king.

Maybe it was something he saw when fighting with me. The colour of the
theatre master was returning. Yoo Joonghyuk was strong. It was a sudden
situation but the theatre master thought he could win.

He was wrong. He should've been looking at me.

I ran towards the theater master again. There wasn't long left on Diverse
Communicaton. I wouldn't let Lee Gilyoung's efforts be in vain.

[Blade of Faith is activated!]

The theatre master belatedly discovered me and shouted.

The theater master's simulacrum.

According to the setting of Ways of Survival, this named boss was made
with all the heart and soul of a constellation. A lot of time passed and he
was in a deteriorated form, becoming the boss of a hidden scenario.
However… he was still able to penetrate Yoo Joonghyuk's Mental Barrier.

The one who received the divine protection of a constellation. He was never
a pushover.

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has triggered 'Simulacra'.

It was a delirium skill on a higher level than the specter's Phantom Prison.

The surrounding space distorted and all types of illusions appeared. The
monsters seemed closer to reality than illusions.

The ground rats, grolls, poisonous rhinos, T-rex… The monsters I had
encountered so far were running towards me. The fierce teeth and violence
claws ripped and clawed at me, but I didn't stop. I wasn't afraid. It was all
fake. They didn't exist. They were all fiction from a novel.

The moment that the Blade of Faith reached his neck.

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has triggered 'Mental Erosion.]

Mental Erosion. It was the advanced cognitive manipulation skill used on

Yoo Joonghyuk. I wasn't afraid because I had the Fourth Wall. But
something unexpected happened the moment he penetrated my head.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is embarrassed.]

Abyss of the ego.

All types of thoughts gathered and the pages of Ways of Survival fluttered.

–T-This? This, is…!

Numerous texts emanated a faint light and floated in the darkness. It was
the chapters of Ways of Survival that I had read.

[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]

The complexion of the theatre master changed as he dug into my head. He

looked at the strings around him and his face whitened.

–Don't, tell, me, you…ahhh!

This was the last thing he said. Strangely, he looked at me in awe.

The moment Blade of Faith was about to cross his neck, a dazzling light
came from his body. It was like a ghost touching a divine light or the
penalty for breaking a taboo.

He was destroyed without a trace.

I looked down at my hands and felt dazed.

…What just happened?

[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacra' has been killed for the first time.]

[You have obtained 9,000 coins as compensation.]

[You have met the conditions to clear the hidden scenario!]

[You have obtained 4,000 coins as compensation.]

These messages rose. I looked back and saw Yoo Joonghyuk collapsing
after being released from the theatre master's control. Fortunately, he didn't
die. The same was true for Lee Gilyoung, who had forcibly used Diverse
Communication.

"Hyung…"

I rushed over and embraced Lee Gilyoung. Lee Gilyoung lost strength and
fainted in my arms.

[The barrier surrounding the Theater Dungeon has disappeared.]

The barrier covering the ceiling vanished and I looked at the insect king.
Surprising, it turned around and fled. It was like all interest had vanished. I
breathed out with a sense of relief.

It was over.

"…Are you okay?"

Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye staggered over.

"I'm fine. Heewon-ssi?"

"I'm okay. Fortunately, Jihye is safe."

Lee Jihye was hit a lot by Yoo Joonghyuk and she couldn't speak because
her mouth was swollen.

[The ending time for the third main scenario is approaching!]

Perhaps it was time for the end.

I looked around the rooftop and saw that dawn was coming, making the day
brighter. If Lee Hyunsung was here, he would recite the 'homeland' prayer.

Jung Heewon groaned.

"Ah… Seoul."

The ruined city area was illuminated by the faint light of dawn. I heard
intermittent explosions from far away. Now there was no more poisonous
fog. The poisonous rhinos were crushed under the collapsed buildings. I
could see people fighting among themselves. They were probably a group
that ended the scenario before us. The entire landscape was trapped inside a
huge dome.

It was a large barrier that seemed to be breaking.

Currently, Seoul was isolated in a transparent dome.

Jung Heewon said, "Really…it is all ending."

It was a scene that had to be acknowledged once again.

I looked at the collapsed buildings and thought that Mino Soft would be
somewhere there. Yoo Sangah would be disappointed. It was because Yoo
Sangah was a person who worked hard. Lee Gilyoung wriggled in my arms.

"Have you regained consciousness?"

Lee Gilyoung nodded and pointed to the sky.

From a distance, a meteor shower seemed to be falling. The meteor shower

was originally the forerunner of the main scenario. However, the number of
meteor showers was more than before.

It meant the 'hall' would open soon.

The meteor showers were probably falling all over the world.

Jung Heewon admired it.

"Pretty…"
Jung Heewon didn't know. The meteors that looked beautiful from a
distance would make a nightmare for the people where it fell.

Now a bigger disaster would come.

Lee Gilyoung gathered his small hands together and muttered something.
Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye were silent for a while. Maybe they were also
praying.

It was funny. Wishing to the beings who would become a source of

nightmare, it was probably only human beings who did this in the entire
universe.

After a while, Lee Gilyoung opened his eyes and looked up at me.

"Hyung isn't making a wish?"

I looked down at Lee Gilyoung and replied.

"I have made a wish."

"What is it?"

"Gilyoung, you shouldn't ask that." Jung Heewon scolded him.

I watched Jung Heewon, Yoo Joonghyuk and then the collapsed Seoul
again.

"I wish to see the novel's epilogue."

Lee Gilyoung looked at me with confusion.

I silently gazed at the sky. There were slight cracks in the sky above Seoul.
Once the sun rose, the dokkaebis would open a new hell.