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“Joonghyuk, how many times do I have to tell you that your mindset of ‘just kill them if they don’t listen’ will do absolutely no good?”
The man in question scoffed with his arms crossed.
“Joonghyuk-ah…” Kim Dokja sighed with exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Murder and aggression isn’t the answer to everything, you know that. Right?
“Hm.”
“Whatever. There’s no point in trying to get through to you.” Kim Dokja waved him off and headed towards the couch, where the kids were arguing.
“Ahjussi likes me better!” Shin Yoosoung yelled and pushed Lee Gilyoung who then returned the gesture.
“Don’t lie to yourself! Hyung clearly likes me more…!” The boy stomped his foot and glared.
“Now now…this ahjussi likes you both the same.” Kim Dokja intervened and separated them.
“Hah! What’s this? Dokja, are you a dilf…?”
Now who could be saying such obscene things if it wasn’t Han Sooyoung?
The man in white looked to the door where the rest of the company stood, greeting him with warm smiles on their faces. If you ignore Han Sooyoung, that is.
They waltzed in and seated themselves within the vicinity. But, the writer instead headed towards the kitchen, where Yoo Joonghyuk harbored a deep glare.
“Huh? What’s this? Did your boyfriend yell at you?” She teased. This only served to deepen Yoo Joonghyuk’s glare. “Fine, don't talk. At least I don’t dress emo like some teenage goth-boy going through his first breakup.” She signaled towards his attire. “I mean, come on…look at this!”
Veins started bulging on Yoo Joonghyuk’s head. “Shut. Up.” He scowled, his voice deepening a couple notches.
The company members, including Kim Dokja, started to notice the situation going on in the kitchen.
“Did I lie? Sure, maybe your godly protagonist looks can make it look good but still. Seriously, you need a change of style.”
Then, from somewhere in the living room, a voice spoke up.
“Aw, is the married couple bickering?”
Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung snapped their heads to the couch, where Kim Dokja carried a mischievous grin.
Somehow, Yoo Joonghyuk’s face got even angrier.
“Ew, what the hell?! No way! Don’t scare me like that… I would never go after someone who dresses like him.” Han Sooyoung pretended to gag.
“I don’t think his outfit’s so bad?” Lee Hyunsung spoke up from next to Jung Heewon.
Lee Seolhwa spoke up as well. “Yes. I think he looks nice.”
Kim Dokja looked at Yoo Joonghyuk’s face for a reaction, which he noticed slightly softened at Lee Seolhwa’s words.
Ah. It’s nice to see my ship sailing. But, why do I feel like this?
[ Kim Dokja is jealous. ]
The Fourth Wall’s voice banged around in Kim Dokja’s head, who then scoffed.
Don’t say crazy things like that. For what would I be jealous of? I’m just a reader.
[ Kim Dokja deserves love too. ]
Kim Dokja shook his head.
Lee Gilyoung stuck out his tongue and spoke mockingly. “That sooty bastard’s outfit is super ugly! So emo!”
(Now, in reality, no one genuinely thought it looked ugly on him. Especially with his body build and his face…ok I’m getting side tracked. - Author)
Suddenly, a blue pop-up appeared in Kim Dokja’s field of view.
——————
<SUB SCENARIO - ‘DRESS UP!”>
CATEGORY: HIDDEN
DIFFICULTY: D
CLEAR CONDITIONS: THE CONSTELLATION ‘ROSESDONTFALL’ HAS COMMISSIONED A SCENARIO! ALL MEMBERS OF KIM DOKJA’S COMPANY WILL HAVE TO DRESS THEMSELVES AS BEST AS THEY CAN. ONCE EVERYONE IS DONE, ALL COMPETITORS WILL TAKE PART IN A RUNWAY SHOW, WHERE CERTAIN CONSTELLATIONS WILL RATE YOUR OUTFITS. THE BEST ONES WIN, WHILE THE PERSON WHO CAME IN LAST PLACE WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
TIME LIMIT: ???
REWARD: 5,000 COINS, A-GRADE ITEM (RANDOM), YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO KEEP THE CLOTHES YOU CHOSE FOR THIS SCENARIO (THE ONLY CONDITION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR IT FOR 1 DAY).
FAILURE: THE LOSER WILL BE STRIPPED OF ALL THEIR SKILLS AND STATS, AND MUST WEAR AN OUTFIT OF THE CONSTELLATION, ‘ROSESDONTFALL’S’, CHOICE. THIS SCENARIO PENALTY LASTS FOR 1 DAY.
——————
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ giggles playfully.]
‘What kind of scenario is this?… And I don’t think I’ve ever seen this constellation before.’ Kim Dokja wondered.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says she got the idea when you guys were arguing about outfits.]
“Well, it looks like it could be fun?” Yoo Sangah commented leisurely.
“I suppose. It’s the penalty I’m worried about though…not that I'd lose.” Jung Heewon added on.
“I don’t think I can decline this scenario anyways, so I guess we don’t have a choice.” Kim Dokja sighed and plopped onto the couch.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ asks you all to head to your own rooms, where you will be provided with a ‘closet’ similar to the form of the ‘Dokkaebi Shop.’ It has an unlimited supply of clothes, and whatever you choose will be fermented into reality.]
“Wow, that’s so cool!” Shin Yoosoung jumped up and down in excitement, and Lee Gilyoung, who was next to her, nodded vivaciously.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says that once you're done, say the words; “It was a really great story. Isn’t that right?” Then just wait until you are teleported to a set location. Teleportation will commence once all members are finished.]
“Okay. I guess we should all head to our rooms!” Han Sooyoung smirked like she was enjoying herself and turned towards the protagonist. “Let’s see what you can do, you chuuni.”
Yoo Joonghyuk grunted with a cold glint in his eyes, and then stormed out of the room.
“Well, I guess we should get going too.” Lee Seolhwa said as she sprung up from her chair, and then left with Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, and Yoo Sangah on her tail.
“Come on kids. Head to your bedrooms.” Kim Dokja kindly ordered as the children nodded and scurried off.
Kim dokja took off behind them and yearned for this scenario to be over soon. He had never had nice clothes, or many clothes at all for that matter, so he was totally clueless on fashion. He could only hope this goes well.
***
‘Now what should I choose?’ Kim Dokja pondered at the screen in front of him. He scrolled through the options and scouted a flannel shirt which caught his eye. It was blue and green. He pressed the shirt, when suddenly a flurry of sparks exploded around him. Next thing he knew, he was wearing the attire.
He looked pretty good if he did say so himself. (Yeah, just keep deluding yourself Kim Dokja. - Author)
‘Alright. Now for pants.’
He continued to thoroughly look until he found a pair of khaki pants. He pressed it, and again, sparks flooded his vision. He found himself suited in the pants.
‘Shouldn’t I get accessories too?’
He moved into an accessory-related section. He spotted a thick pair of glasses. Hadn’t he heard somewhere that people are into that? He added on the amazingly large glasses which then appeared on his face.
He looked back at the screen and saw a green beanie.
‘Yes, this looks very trendy, doesn’t it?’
Kim Dokja clicked on the beanie that then covered all his hair.
He looked in the mirror and nodded in affirmation.
‘Yes…this is very very nice. I don’t have to worry about getting last place now, at least.’
Hold on. Kim Dokja paused. He remembered the phrase he had to say.
He opened his mouth and spoke.
“It was a really great story. Isn’t that right?”
He then heard a dinging noise.
Kim Dokja sighed and then sat on his bed, pulled out his phone, and waited until everyone else was done.
***
Some time had passed before a ringing sound filled his head, and he immediately threw his hands over his ears.
“Ugh…! What the!”
Then his vision went white.
A couple seconds later, his surroundings blurred back into place, but it wasn’t the same surroundings as before. He looked around. He was in what resembled a changing room you’d find at a clothing store, with a huge mirror placed on one wall, a T.V. on the other, and a bench pushed up against the third wall, opposing the T.V.
Then, a familiar blue pop-up appeared.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ welcomes you all.}
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says to sit down and enjoy the show displayed on the T.V. as your companions strut down the runway! Please sit still and wait until it’s your turn. You will be teleported when the time comes.]
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ almost forgot to mention the judges. They will be three well-known constellations. The Constellations’ Demon-like Judge of Fire, Prisoner of the Golden Headband, and Abyssal Flame Black Dragon will be rating your outfits out of 10 in their incarnated form. Also, we have a special guest, Secretive Plotter, who won't be voting, but will be spectating in their physical form as well. Other constellations in the stream will watch as well. Now, let the show begin!]
(The reason Secretive Plotter won’t be voting is because he will show favoritism to Kim Dokja… -Author)
The T.V. screen suddenly blinked black, and then it resumed to a runway with flashing colors and the three judges sitting side by side behind a table. AFBD— or Abyssal Flame Black Dragon— was in the form of some emo chuuni teenager, Sun Wukong was fiddling with his staff, and Uriel was currently shrieking with her arms in the air. On the very side was a cloaked figure, with glowing-white eyes shining through the space-like fabric. He was most likely Secretive Plotter.
Then the lights slowed to a stop, and eased into a gold lighting, with a very light— and slow— strobe. A woman took her first step down the runway with golden-colored heels, suited in a beautiful wooden straw hat which was coated with a gold ribbon and gold bow. Her similarly long gold dress, one that a young maiden would simply wear on a sunny day, was accentuated under the shiny light. Sparkles were littered throughout the fine piece of art, with the flowy translucent fabric creating texture on the surface. Then to finish it off, the eye-capturing face which accompanied it could cause any man or woman to fall head over heels, and collapse.
Yoo Sangah subtly flipped her hair and strutted down the runway, as if she was born to do it. Uriel was going absolutely bonkers as Wukong stroked his chin in interest. AFBD had his mouth agape, but then quickly turned away out of embarrassment for his gawking. The brown-haired woman paused at the end of the runway, stuck out her hip, and let out a model-worthy pose— and then waltzed back until she disappeared behind the curtain.
[The Constellations are dumbstruck!]
[Many Constellations are blushing.]
[The vast majority of the Constellations call the Incarnation, ‘Yoo Sangah’, beautiful.]
[The Constellation, ‘RosesDontFall’, asks for the judges ratings!]
Kim Dokja stared intently at the screen. All he could think was how amazing and truly beautiful Yoo Sangah was.
AFBD raised a sign with a 7, while blushing like a typical teenage-boy in love. Uriel threw up a sign with a huge 10, and Wukong put up an 8.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says Yoo Sangah ends with a total of 25 points! The next contestant will be out shortly.]
Kim Dokja couldn’t help but sweat, and realized how inferior his outfit was. Still, the others probably aren’t as good… right?
Wrong.
Jung Heewon came out with a black and red colored suit, and her hair was put up in a bun while being accompanied by a black fedora with a red stripe. She looked extremely classy, and very attractive. She got 21 points.
Lee Gilyoung showed up with black ripped jeans, a black jacket, and a white shirt under it which said “RAD!” in red coloring, or something along those lines. He wore black shades on his head, which pulled back his bangs. He also wore a red bandana on his forehead. To put it simply, he looked cool. He got 19 points.
Lee Hyunsung was dressed in… not surprisingly… army pants. But it looked nice with the black compression T-shirt he was wearing. It made his muscles pop with the way it hugged his body. His hair was also slicked back, a couple loose strands sticking out and falling onto his forehead. He actually looked very handsome (Jung Heewon fainted). He ended up with 21 points, the same as Jung Heewon.
Then Shin Yoosoung walked in, sporting a beautiful, cute, and sparkly pink dress. She wore a pink bow on the back of her head, with pink and white earrings. She also had on white leggings and light pink shoes. Really, pink complimented her very well. Kim Dokja couldn’t get over her cuteness. She got 22 points. Seems like the judges couldn’t resist her adorableness as well.
Next was Lee Jihye, who wore waist-high jeans, a long black leather jacket with white jewels, and a white crop top under it. Her hair was let down, and had a cute white headband that also had the same type of jewels on it. The long leather jacket flowed while she walked, giving off a cool appearance. The jacket was similar to the one worn by the one she calls ‘Master’, Yoo Joonghyuk. She got 19 points like Lee Gilyoung.
Then came… Han Sooyoung. Surprisingly, she looked really good. She wore a black ball gown, but not so big, with decorated dark flowers on the dress. Her hair harbored a big black flower with a white bead in the middle, beautifying her raven hair. Her black high heels thrummed against the runway while her hands suited with black gloves stood gracefully by her side. Kim Dokja openly gaped seeing her, but quickly shut his mouth. Seriously, she had potential. Only when she opens her mouth is she insufferable. Contrary to what Kim Dokja was originally guessing, she earned 24 points. One less than Yoo Sangah.
Then was Lee Seolhwa. God, her beauty was electrifying. Her blood-red lips next to her beautifully long white hair which was complimented by a small red flower was a perfect match. With a beautiful white gown that carried absolutely mind-breaking designs, I was struck cold. To put it simply, she looked like a goddess.
No wonder Yoo Joonghyuk chose her.
She ended with 27 points. A mind-boggling number. But not too surprising.
Next was the one and only Yoo Joonghyuk. Jesus, he looked like an actual god. A Saint. Like heaven took decades to sculpt him, putting in the work to add millions of perfect and small details, until that piece of art composed a singular person; which was Yoo Joonghyuk. He wore a black suit with a black cape that had a lot of white fur on the front near the shoulders, and also white fur blanketing the end of it. The suit— that also had a chest pocket— accentuated his broad shoulders and huge build. It had white buttons, and emitted a formal air. His pants were an even darker black, clinging to his muscular and long longs. He wore black boots and black gloves which enveloped his huge scarred hands. For a moment, it was like one of his eyes shone a glint of gold. His hair was tousled beautifully. He looked like a Northern Grand Duke, or something like that. Silence filled the room where the judges sat, until they immediately all threw up a sign with a 10 on it.
He got 30 points. A perfect score.
Yoo Joonghyuk clicked his tongue and Uriel shrieked louder than Kim Dokja had ever heard her scream.
Kim Dokja’s face was red, and he slapped his cheeks. He felt like he was in a daze.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says the next contestant will be out shortly.]
Wait. Everyone else went right? So doesn’t that leave just him?
Suddenly, an all too familiar white blurred into his vision, and he then opened his eyes to see a curtain. Behind it, was the judges.
Ok. Ok! He could do this. He looks pretty nice!
Outside of the curtain, Uriel waited in anticipation as the Secretive Plotter tapped his finger on his leg.
Then the curtain lifted, to reveal the one and only…
The hell. Who made this outfit and got away with it.
If you asked anyone, they would say he looked goofy. Like actually. Everyone was absolutely silent… man, even the crickets were silent. Kim Dokja ducked his head and rubbed his other arm with his hand anxiously. Awkwardly, he stuttered across the runway, paused at the end, and then walked back to the curtain. His glasses were so big and thick, you couldn’t see his eyes. His shirt was a disaster, and his pants were… terrible on him. The finishing touch was the beanie. Absolutely ugly. It makes him look bald. It doesn’t make it better that he's known as the Ugly King. He’s called that for a reason, right? Anyone you ask would call his face ugly. Or, everything about him ugly.
[The Constellations are laughing at Kim Dokja.]
[Many Constellations are calling him ugly.]
[Many Constellations didn’t expect much anyway.]
Uriel made a weird face and cheered (it was obviously very fake and forced).
“Woooooh….Kim Dokja….! You…look so… good…?” Clearly, even she sounded unsure. Wukong was dumbstruck and AFBD looked like he was about to vomit. Secretive Plotter had a hand over his mouth, like he was holding in a laugh.
Kim Dokja, on the other hand, did not notice their reactions.
‘I think I did pretty good…’ he told himself. With a pumped fist he waited for the final vote.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ asks for the judges ratings...]
AFBD held up a 0, Wukong had a 1 (clearly he pitied Kim Dokja), and Uriel did a 10. But it didn’t mean much, because she held up a 10 for literally everyone.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says Kim Dokja ended with a total of 11 points…]
Kim Dokja was dumbstruck. Actually, now that he thinks about it, it makes sense he lost. He could only wonder what everyone else’s reaction was to his outfit… Han Sooyoung would never let this go.
Well, at least The Fourth Wall is here to stop him from feeling embarrassed.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says that you will all be teleported to the kitchen/living room area of the Industrial Complex, where you will wait for the rewards to be distributed.]
Kim Dokja sighed as his vision once again blurred white, and the familiar surroundings of the company’s gathering place appeared around him. Kim Dokja looked down and saw he was still wearing the same outfit. He looked up to see everyone wearing what they wore down the runway, and his eyes moved to Yoo Joonghyuk. Kim Dokja quickly turned away.
Yoo Joonghyuk snuck a glance at Lee Seolhwa, who was staring at him with red cheeks.
“Oh my god! Help me! I’m gonna die laughing! What are you wearing, Kim Dokja!?” Han Sooyoung burst out laughing and hit my shoulder.
“I thought it looked good…” Kim Dokja mumbled.
“I think it’s…okay…!” Yoo Sangah commented, while holding in her laugh.
“I guess you really are the Ugly King!” Han Sooyoung blurted.
“So what if I’m ugly!? I’m stronger than you!” He said, pointing at her.
Han Sooyoung shrugged, and Kim Dokja looked at Yoo Joonghyuk, who was glaring at him.
“Anyways, I didn’t expect you to wear something like that.” Kim Dokja said to Han Sooyoung while signaling to her dress.
She shrugged. “Well, I wanted to win. I don’t want to suffer the consequences of losing, like what you’re about to experience.” She snickered and then turned to Yoo Joonghyuk. “Well, would you look at that? You still look emo but at least your style improved.”
The protagonist scoffed.
Suddenly, a voice boomed in the company’s ears.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says the rewards are now being distributed.]
Everyone except Kim Dokja received a pop-up which listed their reward. Kim Dokja felt sad to lose such a valuable reward, but oh well.
Once they were done, Jung Heewon spoke next to Lee Hyunsung, whom she was awfully close to.
“Well, I guess this means that we have to stay in these clothes for a whole day.” She then looked back to the scenario screen.
——————
<SUB SCENARIO - ‘DRESS UP!”>
CATEGORY: HIDDEN
DIFFICULTY: D
CLEAR CONDITIONS: THE CONSTELLATION ‘ROSESDONTFALL’ HAS COMMISSIONED A SCENARIO! ALL MEMBERS OF KIM DOKJA’S COMPANY WILL HAVE TO DRESS THEMSELVES AS BEST AS THEY CAN. ONCE EVERYONE IS DONE, ALL COMPETITORS WILL TAKE PART IN A RUNWAY SHOW, WHERE CERTAIN CONSTELLATIONS WILL RATE YOUR OUTFITS. THE BEST ONES WIN, WHILE THE PERSON WHO CAME IN LAST PLACE WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
TIME LIMIT: ???
REWARD: 5,000 COINS, A-GRADE ITEM (RANDOM), YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO KEEP THE CLOTHES YOU CHOSE FOR THIS SCENARIO (THE ONLY CONDITION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR IT FOR 1 DAY).
FAILURE: THE LOSER WILL BE STRIPPED OF ALL THEIR SKILLS AND STATS, AND MUST WEAR AN OUTFIT OF THE CONSTELLATION, ‘ROSESDONTFALL’S’, CHOICE. THIS SCENARIO PENALTY LASTS FOR 1 DAY.
——————
Then everyone turned to Kim Dokja.
“Well, I guess since your skills will be gone, that skill that censor’s your face will be gone too!” Lee Jihye exclaimed. See, Lee Jihye had once very faintly seen Kim Dokja’s true face in the 10th Scenario. She used to call him ugly a lot, but stopped after that incident (she sometimes still lets it slip).
Everyone turned to Lee Jihye when she said that.
“What do you mean?” Lee Hyunsung inquired.
“But I still look more or less the same without it. It probably doesn’t even really do much. Don’t get your expectations too high, because I will most likely look even uglier without it. I don’t even know how to turn it off.” Kim Dokja declared plainly.
Han Sooyoung nodded. “Yeah. He still probably looks ugly.” She laughed.
Yoo Joonghyuk was staring intensely at Kim Dokja. The reader turned away from the piercing gaze.
Honestly, all Kim Dokja was worried about was what he would do without The Fourth Wall. After all, it helps monitor his emotions.
He also hopes that this constellation doesn’t choose an outfit that’s too bad.
[The Constellation ‘RosesDontFall’ says the scenario penalty will now be applied to ‘Kim Dokja’.]
Suddenly, Kim Dokja turned into a ball of light, where no one could see anything. Everyone was forced to cover their eyes.
Under that light, Kim Dokja was dressed in an outfit of the Constellation, ‘RosesDontFall’s’ choosing. The Fourth Wall was stripped away from him, and his face became uncensored and emotions opened. His stats were gone, so his build and mindset were back to how it was before the scenarios.
The light slowly disappeared and revealed a new Kim Dokja, who slowly opened his eyes.
The company uncovered their eyes and stared at the person in front of them, with widened eyes, and some, with slackened jaws.
Kim Dokja was noticeably smaller than before. His height and body had shrunk, and his shoulders weren’t nearly as broad. His arms and legs were noticeably skinnier, along with his torso. To put it plainly, he had an almost feminine look.
He sported a light-blue oversized hoodie, with one end sliding off right shoulder, fully exposing it, and the other end on the very verge of his left shoulder. His collarbone was exposed, with a small mole marking the left side. The sleeves were too long, and only the tips of his fingers could be seen. Kim Dokja was wearing black shorts which ended dangerously close to his (how do I say this lol)…his butt…cheeks. (The black shorts were almost like those black Adidas shorts with small white stripes on the sides of them). Thanks to those shorts, the wide, pale, expanse of his thighs were on full display. They were a smooth milky white, toned with slight blush. His legs were long and beautifully slender (and seducing). Below his knees, were white leg warmers which drooped, and white shoes. He looked extremely beautiful.
But the most eye-catching part was his face. Contrary to everyone else’s beliefs, he was insanely pretty. Not so much handsome, but pretty. Beautiful, even. His long eyelashes cast shadows on his pale cheeks, which carried a tint of rosy blush. His nose was small and cute, and his lips were plump and pink. His facial structure was cute and pretty, while his bangs fell over his eyes, only serving to amplify his looks. His hair was a little disheveled, but it enhanced his face. And oh, how shiny his black hair was, like a void of darkness, which contrasted beautifully with the light-sky-blue hoodie he had on. How fluffy and how absolutely tantalizing his hair was. It would make anyone have to hold back the urge to touch it. The way it was placed on his head complimented him ever so beautifully.
Oh, but his eyes. His eyes. His glossed-over eyes. His beautiful black orbs looked like an endless pit, a landscape of space filled with countless stars. Almost like it could suck you in.
How could anybody call him ugly? Why did such a blissful sight have to be hidden? How come Kim Dokja never denied the false allegations of his apparent ‘ugliness’, but sometimes even agreed with them?
Some would call Kim Dokja feminine, and if his back hair was even longer, maybe even a girl.
But besides that, Kim Dokja wasn’t ugly. He was anything but that.
“Ughhh…I feel like I have a headache. Kim Dokja groaned, but it looked like a cute pout to the company’s eyes.
His voice was soft and soothing, almost like it would be able to lull anyone to sleep. It sounded as if it came from an Angel.
Yoo Joonghyuk was absolutely dumbstruck. Heat crawled up his neck, but why? He wondered.
“Oh my.” Yoo Sangah said with a hand covering her mouth.
“Huh? What? Do I look weird?” Kim Dokja tilted his head, and scrunched up his nose out of confusion. That alone struck the company member’s hearts.
[The Constellations’ jaws have reached the floor.]
[Many Constellations are speechless.]
[Many Constellations can’t stop staring at Kim Dokja]
Kim Dokja looked down at his outfit.
“Oh. Your reaction scared me. Looks like the constellation went easy on me. It’s not even bad.” Kim Dokja sighed with a sense of relief. But oh, how oblivious he was. How naive.
Kim Dokja let out a carefree smile, and that was the last straw for everyone. For Yoo Joonghyuk. It’s almost like his smile froze time. He was practically glowing.
Yoo Joonghyuk clenched his fist. What was this? Why does he feel like this? And why does Kim Dokja… why isn’t he…ugly like what everyone else said? Like what Kim Dokja himself never denied?
Yoo Joonghyuk’s nails tore into his palm, and he bit his lip. Almost like he was holding himself back. He felt like he was about to let go of the reins, and do something he would regret.
He stared at Kim Dokja’s face, his long eyelashes, and then his lips. They looked so soft, so plump, so pink. Like they were begging to be bitten and devoured . His eyes moved to his collarbone and shoulders, which were small and tinted with a light shade of pink. His neck looked so smooth that Yoo Joonghyuk physically had to fight back the undying urge to march straight up to him, lean down, and just bite.
Then, his gaze floated over Kim Dokja’s legs. His thighs. They looked so full, but also small enough for Yoo Joonghyuk’s fingers to touch if he wrapped his hand around it. He wanted to mark them. To grip onto his thighs so hard, his hands would leave marks.
Then his gaze trailed a little upward, to his shorts. If the ends were pulled just a little bit up to reveal even more, Yoo Joonghyuk may have finally snapped.
But for god's sake, he just looked so incredibly small . So vulnerable. So frail . And that’s not even all. Everything about him just looked so soft . So easily pliable, like he would turn to putty if anyone did as much as touch him. But Yoo Joonghyuk wanted to see more. What did Kim Dokja’s body look like under that loose, thick fabric? His waist? His figure?
Then an overwhelming feeling of rage and jealousy washed over him. Everybody is looking at what's his . How dare they? How dare they look at Kim Dokja when he’s in such a state? This sight should only be for Yoo Joonghyuk to see, right? After all, Kim Dokja is his, and his only.
‘Mark him.’
‘Ruin him.’
‘Devour him.’
‘Take what’s yours.’
Voices whispered in Yoo Joonghyuk’s head, so much so, he almost complied.
‘Mine.’
Yoo Joonghyuk bit his lip so hard, he almost drew blood.
“KIM DOKJA, WHERE WERE YOU HIDING ALL THIS!?” Han Sooyoung shrieked and shook Kim Dokja’s shoulders.
‘Don’t touch him.’ Yoo Joonghyuk grit his teeth and held back the remark.
“What do you mean…?” Kim Dokja inquired while raising an eyebrow at Han Sooyoung.
Before she could respond, Lee Jihye walked up to Kim Dokja and stared at his shoulders.
“Ugl- I mean, Ahjussi…are your shoulders…smaller than mine?”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt something inside of him snap.
(Remember that one chapter in the novel where Lee Jihye said Kim Doka’s shoulders were smaller than hers… lol - Author)
Kim Dokja stared at Lee Jihye in disbelief as a rosy-pink color coated his cheeks out of embarrassment. It was a good look for him.
“What do you mean?… You're imagining things…” Kim Dokja coughed.
“No, I think she’s right. You might even be skinnier than me?” Han Sooyoung suggested.
“No! How would you even know that anyway!?” Kim Dokja said with a pout.
And all too suddenly, Han Sooyoung reached out her hands to Kim Dokja’s body.
She stuck her hands to the sides of Kim Dokja’s thighs and gripped.
“What are you-!” Kim Dokja began, but Han Sooyoung started to move her hands, and trailed upward.
With her palms pressing down on the fabric, she traced out Kim Dokja’s figure by pressing on the clothing so it hugged Kim Dokja’s body tightly. See, the hoodie was actually quite thin, so it was easily moldable.
Han Sooyoung continued to move up, making sure the hoodie stuck to Kim Dokja’s body. Then her hands reached his waist.
A vein popped on Yoo Joonghyuk’s head.
“My god! Kim Dokja… your waist. It’s even smaller than mine! It’s like a woman's waist!”
Her hands inched even more upwards, highlighting his figure.
Kim Dokja was blushing like a maniac, and Yoo Joonghyuk stared. And he stared hard.
The curve of his waist looked absolutely delicious, and so small. So easily grabbale. Yoo Joonghyuk wanted to imprint it. To grip it. To manhandle him and use his waist to mercilessly thrust into-
“I think my fingers would touch if I grabbed it with both of my hands…” Lee Hyunsung spoke leisurely, breaking Yoo Joonghyuk out of his thoughts.
Yoo Joonghyuk froze and glared at Lee Hyunsung. What is he saying? How dare he think such things? Does this mean that Lee Hyunsung is imagining touching his reader? Yoo Joonghyuk was about to teach Lee Hyunsung to keep his hands to himself and stop thinking of touching something that belongs to someone else, until he heard a small squeak.
Yoo Joonghyuk whipped his head around to the source of the sound, and saw Kim Dokja, with Han Sooyoung touching (read: almost fondling) Kim Dokja’s chest with her thumbs.
“Wow… so soft. Is this really a man’s chest? There is, like, nothing here.” Han Sooyoung whistled.
“What are you doing! Let go of me…!” Kim Dokja threw off her hands, well at least tried to but he forgets that Han Sooyoung is stronger than him without his stats and skills.
Kim Dokja flushes beautifully and steps on Han Sooyoung dress while trying to escape.
“Aww… is someone getting embarrassed?” The shorter woman teased.
Even though it was quite amusing to see his Kim Dokja struggling, Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t like that it was Han Sooyoung making a work of him.
“Han Sooyoung…please…!” Kim Dokja pleaded, covering his embarrassed face.
Then a dark shadow loomed over him.
Kim Dokja and Han Sooyoung looked away from their activities and turned their attention upwards, meeting Yoo Joonghyuk’s dark gaze.
“Kim Dokja.” He said coldly.
He was still dressed in the same outfit from the dressup contest, making him all the more menacing.
“Yoo Joonghyuk…” Kim Dokja chuckled awkwardly while sweating. “Do you… need something?…”
Yoo Joonghyuk scoffed and tugged Kim Dokja away from Han Sooyoung grasp, who was currently smirking like she knew something no one else did.
Yoo Joonghyuk stared down at Kim Dokja, who, this way, looked even smaller than before. Yoo Joonghyuk was inches away from throwing Kim Dokja on the floor and claiming him right then and there. That way, everyone would know who he belonged to.
“Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi?…” Lee Seolhwa stuttered questioningly. Yoo Joonghyuk ignored her.
Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed Kim Dokja by the waist and threw him over his shoulder.
“Hey! What are you doing, you stupid sunfish! I’m not a sack of potatoes for you to hold me like this!”
Yoo Joonghyuk grunted and headed towards the door, opened it, walked out, and then slammed it shut.
. . .
“Well, I guess Kim Dokja won’t be walking for a while.”
***
“Oof-!”
After entering his own room and locking the door, Yoo Joonghyuk roughly threw Kim Dokja down onto his bed.
“Ow…what was that for? Why am I in your room? Are you going to kill me!?
When Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t respond, Kim Dokja looked up at his face.
“Hey Yoo Joonghyuk, are you listening to me-“ But then he paused.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were dark, and filled with lust and hunger . Like he was holding himself back from doing something.
“Hey… Joonghyuk-ah… are you okay?” Kim Dokja questioned.
Kim Dokja was still caged in between Yoo Joonghyuk’s arms, who had his legs in between Kim Dokja’s own.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s whole body absolutely covered Kim Dokja. Not only that, but Yoo Joonghyuk was wearing so much thick clothing while Kim Dokja was wearing barely anything compared to him. Yoo Joonghyuk realized this and absolutely fumed.
The ends of Yoo Joonghyuk’s cape spilled down his sides, blocking out most of the light near Kim Dokja’s torso and legs.
Kim Dokja, really, to put it simply, was fully concealed.
“Hey. Yoo Joonghyuk. What’s wrong with you right now?”
“Kim Dokja.”
“…Yoo Joonghyuk.” Kim Dokja echoed back, tilting his head in confusion.
Yoo Joonghyuk bit his lip and leaned down to bury his face in the crook of Kim Dokja’s neck. He felt Kim Dokja freeze.
“I love you Kim Dokja. I really do.” Yoo Joonghyuk abruptly confessed.
Kim Dokja felt his heart drop.
“You…you what?” Kim Dokja trembled.
“I love you.”
“But Lee Seolhwa-“
“Kim Dokja. She was the lover of my 2nd regression-self, not the ‘me’ I am right now. I love you. I always will.”
Kim Dokja felt his eyes water. His pupils shook in the confusion of it all.
“I…I’m sorry… I’m sorry….” Kim Dokja stuttered while wiping his tears.
Yoo Joonghyuk leant down and kissed away the drops of water.
“Please, Kim Dokja. Let me take care of you.”
Kim Dokja smiled.
“Okay.”
***