Chapter 11

The sight of a fully grown man dangling by the collar like a monkey would have looked pretty ridiculous to anyone watching.

I could see my Allies on the other side of the even-numbered bridge, looking this way. Their faces were full of worry, but they probably had no idea what was happening over here. That was because of the safety barrier. I could see them from here, but they couldn't see this side.

"Name."

"What?"

"I asked what your name is."

What a rude way of talking. Just what you'd expect from the protagonist. But it wouldn't be wise to provoke him here.

"Kim Dokja."

"That's a strange name."

"I hear that a lot."

For an instant, my stomach caved in and my insides lurched. Then I realized Yu Junghyeok's fist was buried in my abdomen.

"...Urk."

My skin could deflect a knife, but this guy's attack still hurt like hell.

"Tough body. Looks like you've already learned how to use coins."

"The same goes for you..."

Thud. My stomach lurched again. I barely swallowed the groan rising in my throat.

This bastard's Strength level was at least 15. We had only just gone through one Main Scenario and one Sub Scenario, and he was already at this level. A born monster really was different.

"Don't give useless answers. From now on, you will answer only what I ask. Understood?"

I didn't answer. I had thought something like this might happen. But it had been the worst-case assumption, the outcome I had hoped wouldn't come to pass.

In the early part of the story, Yu Junghyeok was more dangerous than anyone else.

A personality worn down by no fewer than three time regressions. Principles he had shaved away himself to maintain his swollen ego. Yu Junghyeok never hesitated or faltered when it came to his objective.

"Your answer?"

"...Fine."

"Use honorifics."

"Don't want to."

This time, I raised both hands and blocked his fist. Pain shot through me as if the bones in my hands had shattered, but the blow was blunted. Yu Junghyeok's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is wary of you.]

Like I care. No matter how much of a protagonist you are, I have no intention of just sitting here and taking it.

"Sorry, but you're younger than me, pro-gamer Yu Junghyeok. So if anyone should be speaking politely, it's you."

"...You know me?"

"I do. I work for a game company, after all."

It was a lie. Even if I did work for a game company, that didn't mean I'd memorize every pro-gamer's name. Besides, until recently, "Yu Junghyeok" had only been a character in a novel to me.

"You're famous. I used to be a fan."

The part about him being famous was only true inside the story. But saying I had once been a fan wasn't a lie.

I liked Yu Junghyeok, hated him, resented him, and rooted for him.

That was how I spent 3,000 chapters together with Yu Junghyeok.

"A fan. That's not something I hear often."

For a moment, Yu Junghyeok's eyes looked almost nostalgic. But only for a moment.

"I'll forgive the insolence. That doesn't change your situation."

"Looking at me, I'd say you're right."

I glanced down at my two legs, swaying in empty air like a kite's tail.

"There is only one thing I want to ask."

"Go ahead."

"How did you survive in the subway?"

So he was asking that after all.

"If I answer, will you spare me?"

"That depends."

A lie. I could tell just from his expression. There was a reason I was the only reader of TWSA. Countless possibilities ran through my head. What should I say to persuade the regressor?

[Your understanding of the character Yu Junghyeok has increased.]

[Your understanding of this figure is already exceptionally high.]

...Huh?

[You have met the conditions to use Stage 2 of the Exclusive Skill Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint!]

[Would you like to activate the exclusive skill?]

A moment later, I could read someone's thoughts pouring into my head like a waterfall.

「The only ones who were supposed to survive in that car were Lee Hyeongseong and Kim Namwoon.」

「But Kim Namwoon died, and the others survived.」

「How did they survive?」

「What the hell is this guy?」

「I'll extract the information. And if I find even the slightest obstacle... I'll kill him.」

Dense thoughts flashed past. Even in this life-or-death situation, I couldn't stop the corners of my mouth from wanting to rise.

Five minutes remained until the Scenario ended.

I began my story. I kept it as concise, short, and exact as possible. From the moment the dokkaebi first appeared in the subway to the moment the first Scenario ended. Of course, I left out my skills and anything important.

"...You cleared the Scenario by killing insects?"

"I got lucky."

Yu Junghyeok looked so shocked he seemed to have forgotten his mouth was hanging open.

「The future has changed completely.」

No wonder he was shocked.

Originally, the people in Car 3807 were supposed to go through a battle royale where they killed each other, and only Lee Hyeongseong and Kim Namwoon were supposed to survive.

"Sharp eye. How did you know there were insects in the car?"

A murderous glint entered Yu Junghyeok's eyes as his thoughts flashed by.

「Could this guy be the regressor too?」

「If so, I have to kill him right now.」

A thief feels guilty first, they said. Just as expected, that was the misunderstanding he jumped to immediately. I opened my mouth at once.

"There was an explosion."

"An explosion?"

"I'm saying I found the insects because of the explosion in the next car."

At the words "next car," Yu Junghyeok's body gave a small start.

"Explain it so it's easy to understand."

"During the explosion, a kid suddenly fell and dropped a collecting jar. I happened to pick it up."

"...A suspicious coincidence."

"Coincidences are always suspicious. If you don't believe me, ask the people beyond the barrier. The kid standing over there is the one who had the collecting jar."

Beyond the barrier on the way toward Oksu Station, I could see the people staring this way. Since the Scenario hadn't ended yet, they couldn't come toward us or speak to us.

Yu Junghyeok only cast them a brief glance and showed no sign of moving. Then, for an instant, my vision blurred, and memories that seemed to belong to Yu Junghyeok flashed before my eyes.

「I see.」

「The explosion.」

「This guy isn't the regressor.」

「The future didn't change because of him. Rather...」

「Did it change because of me?」

People dying in agony inside a massive explosion, and Yu Junghyeok watching them expressionlessly.

「Unlike the previous round, I started by killing them.」

Maybe it was the effect of [Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint], but I could feel Yu Junghyeok's mental pain exactly as he did.

"Are you done asking questions now?"

"...Yes."

"Then let me down, would you? Let's go to Oksu together. There isn't much clear time left either."

"That would be difficult."

But the protagonist wasn't the protagonist for nothing.

"Everything fits together too perfectly."

I had never seen a protagonist as cautious as Yu Junghyeok.

「There's no way a beginner could stay this calm.」

「He's adapting abnormally well to the changed world.」

「He's probably the one who killed Kim Namwoon.」

「Beyond useful, he's dangerous.」

Yu Junghyeok's right eye was glowing gold. I realized what he was about to do. Honestly, it was a little strange that he hadn't already used that on me.

[Sage's Eye].

Yu Junghyeok's strongest Detection skill. The SS-grade skill [Sage's Eye] could peek not only at the other party's Attributes Window but even at hidden information. Once he used that, there would be no avoiding the exposure of my identity. On the other hand, part of me thought it was actually for the best.

I still didn't know my own attribute or skill list. Even if Yu Junghyeok learned my information, this chance would let me learn more about myself too. And if things went well, maybe I could use what I learned to escape this situation.

[The Exclusive Skill The Fourth Wall has activated!]

[The Fourth Wall has seen through the Detection skill Sage's Eye!]

Sparks flew in the air, and that was when Yu Junghyeok's body staggered.

「...Kuh, what is this?」

Yu Junghyeok clutched his right eye and looked at me in confusion.

"You... what are you?"

Sorry, but I wanted to know that too.

[The Exclusive Skill The Fourth Wall has blocked Sage's Eye.]

...I never imagined I would have a skill capable of defending against [Sage's Eye]. First [Bookmark], and now [The Fourth Wall]. This was making the story more complicated. Yu Junghyeok wouldn't trust me now.

「I have to kill him here.」

Because he wasn't the type to trust something he couldn't understand.

"Yu Junghyeok."

If that was the case, then I had to change tactics too.

"You need a trustworthy Companion."

"...What are you talking about?"

"You can't clear the 46th Scenario alone. You know that, don't you?"

Yu Junghyeok's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know that? So you really are..."

"Who I am isn't what's important."

I spoke while looking straight into Yu Junghyeok's deep eyes.

"What's important is that I can help you."

「He's not the regressor. If he were the regressor in this world, there's no way I wouldn't know.」

「Then what is he?」

「...Don't tell me?」

If I couldn't hide the cards I had, and I couldn't put down my best card either, then there was only one option.

Play a card the other person would misunderstand.

"Yu Junghyeok, I know a future you don't know."

[The character Yu Junghyeok has activated the skill Lie Detection.]

[Lie Detection has confirmed that your words are true.]

Yu Junghyeok's eyes slowly widened.

"...How?"

"How else?"

「Impossible. Is there another Prophet besides Anna Croft? In Korea, no less?」

Prophet.

In TWSA, it was the only attribute that could see the future, and the only attribute among them all that possessed the Passive ability to neutralize Detection skills.

There really was one person in the world of TWSA who had the Prophet attribute.

「Only a Prophet can defend against my Sage's Eye.」

When I didn't answer, Yu Junghyeok bit his lip.

"Can you use future vision, by any chance?"

"I can do something similar."

"So you knew I would come here."

"That's right."

「I see. If he's a Prophet, then all of his actions make sense.」

The tide was turning. I could feel Yu Junghyeok's agitation exactly as it was. This was my only chance.

"Yu Junghyeok. I know you have a unique power. You know things about the future too, don't you?"

"..."

"But you also know perfectly well that that knowledge can never be complete."

The regressor's only weakness.

The moment one used future information to change the present, the future changed. In other words, the regressor eventually had to live in a world they didn't know.

"Make me your Companion. I can make up for what you're lacking."

To the current Yu Junghyeok, there was no Companion more appealing than a Prophet. In truth, even if I wasn't exactly the same as a Prophet, I could still play a similar role. Because I was the only reader of this story.

[1 minute remaining until the Scenario ends.]

Yu Junghyeok lowered his head and began thinking.

「A Prophet would definitely be useful.」

[50 seconds remaining until the Scenario ends.]

「Not just for the 46th Scenario, but later, when I fight those Zarathustra bastards too. But... can I trust him?」

[40 seconds remaining until the Scenario ends.]

「Companion.」

Yu Junghyeok finally raised his head when I was glancing at the clock in growing anxiety.

"I've decided. I'll make you my Companion."

[Due to excessive immersion, your mental energy has been significantly drained.]

[The Exclusive Skill Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint has been deactivated.]

I didn't know if it was from the fatigue or from relief, but my Exclusive Skill chose that exact moment to end. Once it did, Yu Junghyeok's face felt as difficult to read as a philosophical text with no commentary written on it.

Yu Junghyeok started crossing the even-numbered bridge with me in tow. He was still gripping me by the collar, of course... but I thought maybe things would work out now. I had actually persuaded the regressor. I was almost impressed with myself.

But when we had nearly crossed the even-numbered bridge, with the safe zone right in front of us, Yu Junghyeok suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"One last question."

"What is it?"

"If you really are a Prophet, then you should be able to know your own future too. Right?"

The moment I looked into Yu Junghyeok's quiet eyes, a chill ran down my spine.

His test wasn't over yet. The grip of the hand clutching my neck tightened until it cut off my breath.

"Khk."

The hand lifting me moved little by little, and soon an empty wind swept past my feet. Beneath me was nothing but open air. Through the fishy smell of the Han River mixed with the scent of blood, sea dragons were leaping up with their jaws open at their prey.

"If I let go of this hand right now, will I, or won't I?"

For the first time, cold sweat formed on my back. Think. Even without any commentary, I knew this guy better than anyone. I quietly closed my eyes and pictured the Yu Junghyeok I knew.

[20 seconds remaining until the Scenario ends.]

And then I reached my conclusion.

"Yu Junghyeok."

If it was him, then he would definitely do it. No matter how I thought about it, if it was the Yu Junghyeok I knew, there was no other ending. Looking at the approaching Sea Commander cutting through the water, I continued.

"Let me say two things first."

"...What?"

"First, I am not your Subordinate. So from now on, I expect you to treat me fairly."

"..."

"Second, if I cooperate with you, then promise that you will cooperate with me too."

Yu Junghyeok looked at me with interest and nodded.

"I see. So what's your answer?"

Smiling, I answered.

"Then let go of this hand and fuck off, you bastard."

And the force supporting me vanished. Only then did I realize just how terrifying gravity was.

Even while I was falling, I caught a glimpse of Yu Junghyeok's face. Whatever pleased him so much, he was smiling brightly enough to be dazzling.

Bastard.

"I believe you. You really are a Prophet."

What waited for me at the point of my fall was the gigantic mouth of the Sea Commander.

The freezing temperature of the Han River hit me with a dizzying shock. The instant I sucked in a breath, a warm, enormous darkness swallowed me whole.

[You have failed to clear the Scenario.]