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Yoo Joonghyuk always detested these banquets.
Even if he didn't have those constraints put on him by his sponsor, he would never succeed these bastards' stories. If he did, he would become nothing more than their puppet, and any hope he had of destroying the Star Stream would be gone.
Still, in every round, he was invited. Of course, the constellations had no idea what he knew and what his final goal was. Those stars which cheered him on as he would walk through the doors, like he was their favourite character, would never guess the sheer hatred in his heart for them.
They'd never guess that this "character" of theirs would soon tear them down.
Just the thought of it was enough to put a grim smile on his lips.
The door to the Incarnation Waiting Room opened, and he looked over, uninterested. Just another incarnation to beg to become the constellations' plaything-
'…Kim Dokja?'
The man froze. If Yoo Joonghyuk had been anyone else, he would've called the expression on his face comical horror. Sweat started to drip down his face as they stared at each other.
'Ah… Yoo Joonghyuk,' Kim Dokja finally replied, his voice weak. He cautiously came to sit down next to him, albeit at a safe distance. Did he think Yoo Joonghyuk would get that revenge hit in now?
A sudden anger lurched in him. 'The others are worried about you.'
'I'm really sorry about that.'
Was he? There was no hint of sincerity in the prophet's voice, like he wasn't even bothering to try and convince him. Did he really think Yoo Joonghyuk the others didn't care?
Actually, he probably didn't.
Amazing, how someone so perceptive and manipulative could be this blind. It was almost impressive. Not for the first time, Yoo Joonghyuk wondered how Kim Dokja had ended up this way. He'd hoped that the peek he'd taken into the enigma's mind would provide answers, but all it did was create more questions.
Should he ask about it? Would this fool even answer him?
'Who is the King of the Wanderers?'
'Eh??' Kim Dokja looked flabbergasted, completely thrown off guard by the sudden change in topic.
'She is your mother, isn't she?'
At this, Kim Dokja froze. The light in his eyes vanished, like stars blinking out suddenly, leaving behind a cold and empty universe. Yoo Joonghyuk didn't like that sight.
'…Did Sangah-ssi tell you that?'
His voice was even, surprisingly. There was a weird sense of detachment to it.
Yoo Joonghyuk simply stared at him.
'It is nothing for you to worry about.' The tone was sharp and uninviting, unlike his usual self, who would play nice with everyone and then scam them for all their worth. The change unnerved Yoo Joonghyuk, and he decided to relent on the topic for now.
'When are you reviving?'
'Tomorrow.'
'Why is it taking so long this time?'
'I am using a different method. I didn't know about the countdown, or I would've warned everyone.'
An awkward silence ensued, which was only broken by the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching them.
'Wait. Are you Kim Dokja?'
A brunette woman had come up. There was no way Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't recognise her. A terrible anger rose in him.
'Do you know me?'
'Oh… only a little. I've heard about you.'
They shook hands as Kim Dokja's usual smile appeared on his face. It was a little strained. It started the regressor, that he was actually able to understand the other's expressions. 'It's nice to meet you, Selena Kim.'
Of course he knew her.
'Do you know me?' Anna Croft's lackey was surprised.
'Isn't Anna Croft here with you?' Kim Dokja looked around nervously, before focusing on Yoo Joonghyuk not-so-subtly.
'You know Anna?'
'I met her once in a dream.'
At this, Yoo Joonghyuk snapped up. What?
Suspicions started to rise, before Kim Dokja gave him an apologetic glance. Perhaps it hadn't been his fault, since Anna Croft could easily enter other people's dreams. But this was Kim Dokja. His protection skill blocked even the Eye of the Sage.
'Looks like there's an ugly-looking one from the Korean Dome. Are you the representative of Korea?' A little blonde girl was standing there. Her voice was high-pitched, and she seemed ridiculous.
'Iris, that's rude,' Selena scolded her. 'You shouldn't judge people based on their appearances.'
Kim Dokja's face had taken on an interesting expression. It was a mix of anger and bafflement. Actually, Yoo Joonghyuk was also confused. Maybe one could argue that the man was a little plain-looking, but there was nothing about him that was particularly ugly. In fact, he was rather on the handsome side.
'Honesty is a virtue in Moscow,' the girl grinned.
'Who are you?' Kim Dokja asked coldly.
The girl was affronted. '…Don’t you know? You don’t know me, Iris Vladimirovna Rebezova?'
'Should I know you?'
Selena Kim intervened. 'Dokja-ssi, I will introduce you. This is Iris. She is a representative from Russia. Iris, this is Kim Dokja. He is from South Korea and his nickname… I-I'm sorry, I don't know Dokja-ssi's nickname…'
The fool was looking on in worry, so Yoo Joonghyuk decided to answer on his behalf. 'He goes by-'
'I don't have one!' He was hurriedly stopped by Kim Dokja's panicked expression.
Ah… right.
[The strongest incarnation is none other than… the Ugliest King, Kim Dokja!]
Did Kim Dokja really think he was about to use that title? The fool.
A ridiculing laugh emerged from Iris’ mouth. 'A person came here without a nickname? I don’t know why you are qualified to be here but you better be good.'
The girl radiated a fighting spirit. Yoo Joonghyuk finally reached the end of his patience and stepped between the two. She immediately took a step back.
'Don’t interfere. This is between me and that ugly guy.' Despite Iris’ warning, Yoo Joonghyuk kept staring at her. It was unlikely that Kim Dokja would've responded to her, but if he had, no doubt he'd have won. So, it was fine if Yoo Joonghyuk took care of her.
Kim Dokja had some kind of smug expression on his face. There was also a tint of red on his cheeks. A sort of inexplicable satisfaction rose in Yoo Joonghyuk.
The girl finally backed off, biting her lip. 'I don’t know what trivial upper-grade constellation brought you here to take their story but… let’s just leave it.'
For some reason, Kim Dokja looked extremely amused by the mention of an upper-grade constellation. Who had brought him there? Of course, considering the kind of anomaly he was, he should have plenty of supporters.
Well, never mind.
No doubt Kim Dokja would play some strange trick on those lofty constellations, something no one would see coming.
For the first time, Yoo Joonghyuk was looking forward to Story Succession.
Yoo Joonghyuk thought that maybe, he'd stop being surprised by the spectacles that happened if Kim Dokja happened to be in general vicinity.
He was wrong.
A nebula.
Even for Kim Dokja, it was quite an outrageous idea. In fact, that is exactly what made it a "Kim Dokja Idea".
The man had a grin on his face, something that at least reassured Yoo Joonghyuk, albeit only a little. Hopefully, the fool wasn't doing it on the fly - though he should've talked to him earlier. Holding their intertwined hands up in the air, some sign of companionship - he better have a plan.
Actually, Yoo Joonghyuk didn't mind their current position at all.
[Midday Tryst
Yoo Joonghyuk: What are you doing?]
Kim Dokja had the audacity to look surprised at the message. Surely he didn't think Yoo Joonghyuk would agree to this crazy plan without any knowledge whatsoever?
[Kim Dokja: Shouldn't you be used to this by now? This isn't the first time I've done something like this.]
Why didn't he just answer the damn question? Yoo Joonghyuk glared.
[Kim Dokja: It's not a bad deal for you. I know you can't inherit their stories anyway.]
Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't able to hide his flinch.
[Yoo Joonghyuk: There's just no telling what you know.]
The dokkaebi sweated. [Incarnation Yoo Joonghyuk. Is Incarnation Kim Dokja correct? Are the two of you making a nebula?]
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at Kim Dokja. He appeared just a little anxious. The decision formed.
He would trust this strange man, just this once.
'Yes.'
The relief-filled smile he got in return warmed something in him, which he either couldn't or didn't want to name.