I do believe it was Miss Nanaly. In that world, I think she had some ability to explode hearts, or the like. There was a guard who was holding her who died in that way, and the pain in my chest was...well. Quite a blast.
[....]
[He just. Looks away.]
I would've killed Miss Susato if I hadn't been stopped. I had already killed Mr. Joonghyuk, and Miss Nanaly died not long afterwards, because I had shot her. [......] So that is why I am grateful.
[ For the most part, Dokja only listens, watching him closely as he speaks and even when the other man looks away. So, that's how it was. The mention of Sholmes killing Joonghyuk only has him hum a little.
"Not everyone is used to taking the lives of those they know." Those words make sense now. ]
The man then is different than the man standing here before me. ..I cannot speak for the others, but I know Yoo Joonghyuk for one will harbor no ill feelings against it. [ A head tilt. ] He might want to hit you though if he hasn't already.
Some of those lives were more short-lived than others, but another number nevertheless.
[ A quiet pause, his tail giving one slow swish to the side. ]
I do. However, I am not a regressor like Yoo Joonghyuk. Though I've died a few times already- I've come back only due to the abilities I've gathered during those times. I've still stayed within the same lifetime.
How lucky for you. For him, it seemed, everything was on the line, every time he died. [YJH dropping all the loot in every life...] Why couldn't he be in your role?
Every time he died, he regressed to the beginning. Starting all over again. Keeping only the memories and knowledge he had in the previous lives.
[ ...Lucky, huh? There's a brief moment of silence with neither Jin nor Dokja moving. Finally, he continues. ]
Because he's the protagonist, forced to regress time and time again on behalf of his Sponsor. And as for me... I am just a reader. A reader of that story.
So he is a character, and you are the one who witnesses his endeavors. I never heard of such a thing where a reader is so directly involved in a story. One would "support" a protagonist from the safety of one's home, I would suppose.
To be fair, a reader doesn't expect the story they love to suddenly become their reality one day.
.. Though the protagonist may have some perks and skills available to them given his status, the reader is starting off on a completely blank slate. He's a supporting side character.
[ Yes, his role is different to Yoo Joonghyuk's, but there's something else about the reader's. Glances back to the other man, a smile lingering on his lips. ] In my world, you are a story as well, Mr. Herlock Sholmes.
Hm? "Become their reality"? My, my, Mr. Dokja. You truly are Alice in Wonderland in the flesh.
[Falling into another world...]
[also wait i just realized alice in wonderland is a classic isekai. nice]
Hahaha. [And his eyes crinkle in amusement at that.] So I have heard. I'm not too surprised. Being a Constellation, a figure like a god...well, I can't say the thought of it wouldn't be fun, in its own way.
Any Incarnation is capable of becoming a Constellation. Just as any story, whether it be a myth or history- everyone has the potential to become a Constellation with enough stories and qualifications.
[ His head tilts. ] Though I know the best path, some ideal results for scenarios... that does not make me "god." The Star Stream is what controls the scenarios inevitably, even if I help guide my companions and me through them- that doesn't necessarily mean we have the ways to clear it if we aren't prepared enough.
[ Another smile. ] A Constellation is still capable of being killed. I am not immortal.
Well, of course. I assumed as much based on Mr. Joonghyuk's listed skills. [He smiles.] So what do you do, as a Constellation, then? You're just a sort of mentor?
Constellations have their own scenarios to complete and go through, but some entertain themselves by watching Incarnations. Whether it be watching Incarnations struggle, suffering through the scenarios, or rooting them on... [ Yeah, he can tell from the tone of his voice he greatly dislikes them. ]
They're capable of taking on an Incarnation like a Mentor of sorts yes, allowing them to help supply their growth by passing on a Stigma- which is an ability, and other rewards. [ ... ] I have an Incarnation back home that is a companion journeying with Yoo Joonghyuk and I.
..It was a necessary path to take to get where I am back home, so I can't say I've considered the idea of being happy as one or not. It means I'm stronger so I can't say I'm unhappy about it.
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[ Oh. Curious. ]
Well, it wasn't me that did it, but. Long as you're happy with the results. [ ? ]
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[....]
[He just. Looks away.]
I would've killed Miss Susato if I hadn't been stopped. I had already killed Mr. Joonghyuk, and Miss Nanaly died not long afterwards, because I had shot her. [......] So that is why I am grateful.
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"Not everyone is used to taking the lives of those they know." Those words make sense now. ]
The man then is different than the man standing here before me. ..I cannot speak for the others, but I know Yoo Joonghyuk for one will harbor no ill feelings against it. [ A head tilt. ] He might want to hit you though if he hasn't already.
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[That actually makes him crack a smile.]
He hasn't! I think he should! I rather deserve it.
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Maybe it'll happen when you least expect it. [ Lightly, he pats Sholmes on his shoulder. Jin seems to perk up at that with a slow sway of her tail. ]
Sorry to have brought up those memories.
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[He looks over at the shoulder pat, and he just keeps that light smile on his face. Irene tilts her head, looking at Kim with beady eyes.]
It's quite alright. It was a different lifetime, after all. One might feel it was just a story. Though one that had lasting repercussions, after all.
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A story often does. And as most stories do, they stay with you. [ ... ] Yoo Joonghyuk has lived many different lifetimes so he would know that best.
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[He nods at that, understanding.]
I saw some of his memories, a few weeks ago. I know how much he has lived...and died, through. [...] You come from the same world as he, do you not?
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[ A quiet pause, his tail giving one slow swish to the side. ]
I do. However, I am not a regressor like Yoo Joonghyuk. Though I've died a few times already- I've come back only due to the abilities I've gathered during those times. I've still stayed within the same lifetime.
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[A new term, it seems.]
How lucky for you. For him, it seemed, everything was on the line, every time he died. [YJH dropping all the loot in every life...] Why couldn't he be in your role?
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[ ...Lucky, huh? There's a brief moment of silence with neither Jin nor Dokja moving. Finally, he continues. ]
Because he's the protagonist, forced to regress time and time again on behalf of his Sponsor. And as for me... I am just a reader. A reader of that story.
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[He tilts his head, considering.]
So he is a character, and you are the one who witnesses his endeavors. I never heard of such a thing where a reader is so directly involved in a story. One would "support" a protagonist from the safety of one's home, I would suppose.
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.. Though the protagonist may have some perks and skills available to them given his status, the reader is starting off on a completely blank slate. He's a supporting side character.
[ Yes, his role is different to Yoo Joonghyuk's, but there's something else about the reader's. Glances back to the other man, a smile lingering on his lips. ] In my world, you are a story as well, Mr. Herlock Sholmes.
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[Falling into another world...]
[also wait i just realized alice in wonderland is a classic isekai. nice]
Hahaha. [And his eyes crinkle in amusement at that.] So I have heard. I'm not too surprised. Being a Constellation, a figure like a god...well, I can't say the thought of it wouldn't be fun, in its own way.
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[ big braining over here. ]
You think so? [ Oh, Dokja looks amused at that. ] Coming from a Constellation like myself, in a way it might be.
[ Yeah. ]
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[Ohhhh?]
So how does a reader become a Constellation? Since you know everything that happens, does this make you "god"?
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[ His head tilts. ] Though I know the best path, some ideal results for scenarios... that does not make me "god." The Star Stream is what controls the scenarios inevitably, even if I help guide my companions and me through them- that doesn't necessarily mean we have the ways to clear it if we aren't prepared enough.
[ Another smile. ] A Constellation is still capable of being killed. I am not immortal.
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[Boy, sure are two words he won't hear later!]
Well, of course. I assumed as much based on Mr. Joonghyuk's listed skills. [He smiles.] So what do you do, as a Constellation, then? You're just a sort of mentor?
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Constellations have their own scenarios to complete and go through, but some entertain themselves by watching Incarnations. Whether it be watching Incarnations struggle, suffering through the scenarios, or rooting them on... [ Yeah, he can tell from the tone of his voice he greatly dislikes them. ]
They're capable of taking on an Incarnation like a Mentor of sorts yes, allowing them to help supply their growth by passing on a Stigma- which is an ability, and other rewards. [ ... ] I have an Incarnation back home that is a companion journeying with Yoo Joonghyuk and I.
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[Hm. Doesn't like the sound of that.]
But Mr. Joonghyuk, he's not an Incarnation? Or is he?
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[ Constellations really are an audience, yeah. Awful. ]
Yoo Joonghuyk is an Incarnation. Everyone starts off as one when the Scenarios start, and though he's incredibly strong- he is not a Constellation.
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[like dude promote YJH please]
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[ (yjh voice) im strong enough without ]
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Are you happy being a Constellation, Mr. Dokja?
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..It was a necessary path to take to get where I am back home, so I can't say I've considered the idea of being happy as one or not. It means I'm stronger so I can't say I'm unhappy about it.