Chapter 27

A few minutes later, I once again entered Dongguk University Station and ate a ground rat . It was in order to heal the skin contaminated by the poisonous fog . It took a little time but the contamination could be recovered by eating the meat of an underground species .

[…Hey! Are you crazy? What did you do just now?] I was eating when I heard Bihyung’s voice furiously berating me .

‘Shut up . ‘

[No, this isn’t an issue you can dismiss . You destroyed a constellation’s idol! Do you want to see my channel fail? Once the ‘Bald General of Justice’ begins to talk…]

The idol of a constellation . Every world had their own constellations, South Korea as well . By the way, Bihyung said it was the ‘Bald General of Justice . ‘ He was a great person in South Korea but…

Actually, I wasn’t the type of person to say that .

[A constellation wearing a straw mat is furious at your atrocious actions . ]

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is laughing . ]

There was a difference in the degree of all idols, but they had the power of a constellation sealed in them . If I released the seal of the idol in the right way, I could gain a certain amount of power, such as an item or a skill that the constellation used in their lifetime . However, ‘unlocking the seal’ took a long time and I wasn’t sure if I could get the skill I wanted .

I looked at Ways of Survival on my smartphone .

「 “But if it is sealed in the bronze statue of Samyeongdang, how did you get the skill?”

“There is a saying that if you meet Buddha, kill Buddha . ”

“What? Don’t tell me…”

“Haha, I was just trying it out… but it is true . All the statues aren’t just for worship . ”

“Hey! This jerk, you should watch your mouth . You might be cursed by the constellation . ” 」

At the last gateway to enter Chungmuro, the ‘skill’ of Samyeongdang was essential and the most surefire way to get the skill was to destroy the idol . Of course, I could buy something similar from the Dokkaebi Bag but… the more coins I saved, the better .

“Then did you resolve the ‘man’s secret’ well?”

I quickly turned off my smartphone screen . My companions, including Jung Heewon, had gathered .

“Yes . And I have something for you . ”

I pulled out the items I gained from the idol . As luck would have it, the Samyeongdang idol contained items and skills .

[Samyeongdang’s Beads]

[Samyeongdang’s Straw Mat]

Rags and old beads . There were questions in the eyes of everyone present . I knew what they were thinking . However, I also knew this: In this world, ‘old’ was more likely to be ‘good . ‘

“They seem like good items because they are souvenirs of a great person . ”

“Great person?”

“Do you know Samyeongdang?”

[A constellation wearing a straw mat has paused at your actions . ]

Jung Heewon asked with a blank expression, “…Who is that?”

[A constellation wearing a straw mat wishes to appear before character ‘Jung Heewon . ‘]

“Ah! I know!” Fortunately, someone knew . Needless to say, it was Yoo Sangah . “I remember seeing it when I was studying Korean history! Isn’t he a monk from the Joseon Dynasty?”

“Yes, that’s right . ”

“When the Korean military was struggling to defend against the Japanese invasion…he fought in the Nowongpyeong battle and Wukwandong battle!”

As expected from Yoo Sangah . I also studied Korean history but I didn’t know this .

[A constellation wearing a straw mat is touched by character ‘Yoo Sangah . ‘]

I nodded and said, “Anyway, these items have his strength . ”

“…Really?”

“Wow, it is real!”

Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung were surprised when they confirmed the item information .

“Still, how did Dokja-ssi know to get this?”

“Just, I put my hands together in front of the Samyeongdang statue and…they fell from the sky . ”

“Huh? No way…”

I thought it was ridiculous but there was a reason people said such ridiculous words . I put on a mock solemn expression as I watched the party . “I think… it was sent by Samyeongdang for South Korea . ”

“Ah…”

Their ‘ah’ were filled with many meanings . I ignored them and kept talking . It wasn’t like I was asking for them to listen .

“He might’ve left his belongings to save the country, just like during the Japanese invasion of South Korea . Anyway, now South Korea is a country undergoing turmoil . ”

[A constellation wearing a straw mat is moved by your words . ]

In times of turmoil, scammers always gained power .

“…In this strange world, it isn’t weird if something like this happens . Maybe Samyeongdang is one of the ‘constellations . ‘ Isn’t that right?”

Surprisingly, Yoo Sangah was the first to be convinced . Maybe she didn’t want me to be embarrassed . The funny thing was that once Yoo Sangah agreed, Lee Hyunsung was immediately convinced .

“Indeed, Samyeongdang…”

Lee Hyunsung grew up with patriotism for a long time and looked like he was reminiscing on the principle of military service . Lee Gilyoung also seemed convinced . It was only Jung Heewon who was staring at me like it was nonsense .

[A constellation wearing a straw mat likes your revealing words . ]

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ forgives your sins . ]

Bihyung looked at the sky with an ‘Is this okay?’ expression before looking dumbfounded . The power of a constellation was directly linked to their fame . Thus, the constellations loved it when their stories were spread this way . Where was a constellation that hated being praised?

“I will give Samyeongdang’s Beads to Yoo Sangah since you know him well . ”

“Really? Can I accept it?”

“I think Samyeongdang will be delighted if Yoo Sangah uses it . ”

In fact, the performance of Samyeongdang’s Beads wasn’t good compared to what the sponsor used it for . It wasn’t a sponsor’s star relic so maybe the fact that Samyeongdang wasn’t a world-recognized figure had an effect . It was still a B class item so it had a secondary option of boosting magic power to increase magic power recovery .

Jung Heewon watched Yoo Sangah like she was envious and said, “Yoo Sangah knows a lot of things . I didn’t know about Samyeongdang because I didn’t do very well at school . ”

“Ah…that…that . ”

“I’m joking, joking . Don’t make such an expression . ”

I spoke to the sulky Jung Heewon, “I also have something for Jung Heewon-ssi . ”

“For me? Is it that straw mat?”

“Yes . ”

“It’s okay . No matter how urgent, I don’t want to wear such a thing . ”

“…Just try it . You won’t regret it . ”

Jung Heewon hesitated for a moment before throwing on the straw mat . She was trying to be fashionable but she just looked like a beggar .

[A constellation who likes comradeship condemns your actions . ]

[A constellation who praises friendship likes your actions . ]

It would be different if the star relic ‘Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick and Straw Sandals’ came out, but the other two items weren’t necessary for me right now . Jung Heewon saw her reflection on the screen door of the subway and made a slightly complicated expression .

“It is hard to explain but…I suddenly feel like I can harness the power of justice . ”

Samyeongdang’s Straw Mat was an item that enhances the justice and willpower of the wearer . I didn’t need it but it was a pretty good item for Jung Heewon .

“You said Samyeongdang? I feel sorry for some reason . I should study harder . ”

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ is happy at this situation . ]

[100 coins have been sponsored . ]

I jokingly said, “Then let’s put our hands together and pray . ”

* * *

It was a joke but Jung Heewon really went to pray .

Jung Heewon was contaminated by the poisonous fog and spoke while eating a ground rat . “By the way, who broke it? Surely it wasn’t Dokja-ssi?”

“…”

“…Dokja-ssi?”

“Be prepared . We will be at Chungmuro soon . ”

I looked at the dark tunnel . It had been 20 minutes since Lee Gilyoung used Diverse Communication, allowing us to safely move forward . Considering the fact that Dongguk University to Chungmuro was 1 km in a straight line, it was time for ‘that’ to appear .

[A new sub-scenario has arrived!]

Indeed, as soon as I thought about it .

“Everybody step back . ”

+

[Sub Scenario – Welcome Prison]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: D~F

Clear Conditions: Escape from Welcome Prison within the time limit .

Time Limit: 1 hour

Compensation: 300 coins

Failure: ???

+

[Sub-scenario – Welcome Prison has begun!]

Perhaps Yoo Jonghyuk had suffered quite a bit in this scenario . This scenario was one of the most painful traps for a regressor . Yoo Sangah asked, “Welcome Prison? What is this?”

She would know without asking .

“It is coming . Everyone, please keep your mind straight . ”

Before my words were over, a haze overcame me . The fog that instantly occupied the tunnel blocked my field of view . The party members in the immediate vicinity couldn’t be seen . When I looked around, I could only see a distorted scenery, as if I was on drugs .

“Uwah…I feel bad!” Jung Heewon screamed . Maybe Jung Heewon was seeing something different from what I saw now .

「Dokja . 」

The voice I didn’t want to hear . That forgotten voice was heard in a drug-like landscape . If I was this way, my other party members would be worse .

“…Something feels strange . Dokja-ssi! Are you there?”

“Dokja-ssi! Dokja-ssi!”

In this distorted vision, the voices of my party members were gradually fading .

[Welcome Prison] .

A space that led to madness by touching a person’s trauma .

「 Dokja, you didn’t see anything . Understood? 」

The landscape disappeared and the face of a person popped up . I smiled bitterly as I stared into the air . I wanted to deny reality .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is activated!]

[Due to the skill effect, immunity to Welcome Prison has occurred . ]

The moment my mind relaxed, the uncomfortable feeling diminished .

[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ admires your spirit . ]

[100 coins have been sponsored . ]

[The curious constellations are sorry that they can’t peek at your memories . ]

As the power of Welcome Prison weakened, I felt a sense of alarm .

“Everyone, calm down and take deep breaths . ”

Those trapped in Welcome Prison would lose their minds and unleash their madness around them . Thus, the most dangerous thing in Welcome Prison was the companions around you . Yoo Jonghyuk’s solo behaviour might be because he was worried about this prison .

“S-Soldier Lee Hyunsung . Did you hear wrong?”

“I was wrong . I was wrong, Mother!”

“T-This dog bastard!”

…I was too late . I heard the screams of people filled with madness, but it wasn’t everyone .

“…Dokja-ssi?” At this moment, Yoo Sangah’s appearance was revealed in Welcome Prison . Samyeongdang’s Beads around her wrist was glowing brightly . Fortunately, it worked . I approached Yoo Sangah and said, “Cover the surroundings . From now on, I will destroy this space . ”

Yoo Sangah nodded with a nervous expression .

[The exclusive skill ‘Destroy Evil Lv . 1’ is activated . ]

Destroy Evil . It was one level higher than the Repel Evil skill that could be bought with coins . It was a skill that I obtained after breaking the bronze statue of Samyeongdang .

[The exclusive skill ‘Destroy Evil Lv . 1’ has turned off ‘Welcome Prison’ . ]

Indeed, it was a skill used by Samyeongdang . If I had bought Repel Evil, it would’ve taken a minute to release it . As the fog retreated and Welcome Prison disappeared, my companions started to appear one by one .

“O-Our resolve! We are the South Korean army, loyal to the nation and the people!”

“Uh…Uh…Mother . ”

The trauma could be seen with one glance . Lee Hyunsung was bowing with his head on the ground, while Lee Gilyoung had his head on his knees and was shaking . Yoo Sangah came forward first . “Lee Hyunsung-ssi? Gilyoung! Please wake up!”

At this moment, a blade flew from the rear . Fortunately, the blade wasn’t fast and it wasn’t difficult to avoid .

“…I will kill all of you . ”

Jung Heewon was waving her sword through the air like a madman . My heart ached as I watched Jung Heewon’s eyes became gradually redder . This was dangerous . It was a sign of ‘Demon Slaying . ‘ I stunned Jung Heewon by strongly hitting her in the back of the neck . Luckily, Jung Heewon was unharmed . I thought it wouldn’t be like this with Samyeongdang’s Straw Mat but Jung Heewon’s mental state was more fragile than I expected .

“Yoo Sangah, please look after Jung Heewon-ssi . ”

“…Yes, yes!”

“It isn’t over yet . ”

[You have met the conditions to clear the sub-scenario!]

[You have earned 300 coins . ]

Monsters appeared as soon as the clear message showed up . They were a mass of liquid, reminiscent of ectoplasm . The 8th grade specter . It was the specters who made Welcome Prison . I used White Pure Star Energy to invoke Blade of Faith . Fortunately, the battle itself wasn’t difficult . In the first place, the specters weren’t difficult if Welcome Prison was destroyed . The creepy and weird specters were destroyed .

[Specter’s Stone . ]

I put the fallen stones into my pocket . This needed to be picked up . Thanks to Yoo Sangah, the others were recovering quickly .

“A-Are you okay?”

The one who recovered the fastest was Lee Hyunsung . Lee Hyunsung heard the story and bowed his head with surprise . “…Thank you . I almost got into big trouble . I also want to thank Dokja-ssi . ”

“It is nothing . ”

“I have a headache…” Lee Gilyoung’s head was pounding . I stroked Lee Gilyoung’s hair . He pretended to be okay but perhaps the one with the most terrible trauma in this place was this child . I saw a pale light in the distance .

Yoo Sangah said, “Dokja-ssi, I think it is over . ”

I worried about it for a short moment . Jung Heewon was stunned and it was difficult for the others to exercise their power . Would we be okay to enter Chungmuro at this rate? My concerns were resolved by another person . A blade loomed in the darkness, but it was a pure threat, without the intent to harm .

“Who are you? Don’t you know that this area is our hunting ground?” In the faint light of the entrance, a girl holding a long sword stood . She looked to be 17 and was wearing a school uniform . She was wearing a hood like she was trying to hide her name tag, but her appearance was noticeable .

“Ah, this girl…!” Yoo Sangah had keen eyes and recognized her first . I also knew her . It was because she was one of the main characters of Ways of Survival . The only survivor of Daepong Girls High School, Lee Jihye . She was one of the reasons why Yoo Jonghyuk went straight to Chungmuro in the shortest time .

“…Did you guys beat the specters?” Lee Jihye discovered the stone in my hand and was surprised . “How did you…only Master could catch them?”

I immediately used a skill .

[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated . ]

[Character Information]

Name: Lee Jihye

Age: 17 years old

Constellation Sponsor: Maritime War God

Private Attribute: Scarred Sword Demon (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Sword Training Lv . 3, Demon Slaying Lv . 1, Absolute Sense Lv . 2, Ghost Walk Lv . 1 .

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

Overall Stats: Physique Lv . 13, Strength Lv . 12, Agility Lv . 13, Magic Power Lv . 9 .

Overall Evaluation: A person who evolved into a ‘Scarred Sword Demon’ after killing her closest friend . The sponsor behind her has an affinity for you and your colleagues .

* ‘Starter Pack’ is currently applied .

There was nothing unusual . Maritime War God . As scheduled, it was the sponsor behind Lee Jihye . She was a must in future maritime wars .

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ is touched at meeting an old comrade . ]

[Lee Jihye’s sponsor welcomes the ‘Bald General of Justice . ‘]

I felt a faint breeze in the subway tunnel where no trains were running . Looking at Lee Jihye’s hair fluttering in the wind, I realized again .

[Main Scenario #2 – Meeting has ended . ]

[The compensation will be settled . ]

Yes, we finally arrived . This was Chungmuro .