Han Sooyoung was an author.
She had been an author for a long time, and had received praise for her work many times. Both by critics and the general public. Even knowing her work was beloved by most didn't stop her from getting annoyed at the criticism of the few, however.
Namely; a reader who had been leaving comments on her newest work complaining about “Plagiarism”. Out of curiosity, she had looked at the novel she supposedly plagiarized, and it only had one reader per newest episode!
She easily came to the conclusion that the only one who would care enough about such a small webnovel to accuse her of plagiarizing it would have to have been the author himself.
Satisfied with her conclusion she decided to ignore the annoying commenter...
Such a decision could only last so long however.
The small author kept leaving comments, and despite other readers denying his accusations she couldn’t help but become curious about this commenter again.
Han Sooyoung had grown up fairly wealthy, and had gained even more resources after the success of her writing career. For someone such as her it was quite easy to say… pull a few strings at a tech company and get a lower level employee’s contract terminated.
The commenter had been dumb enough to use his full name on a webnovel app, after all. She hadn’t realized this at first, as a username like “KimDokja” sounded more like a nickname a reader would use than anything.
However, a cursory search revealed he was in fact a real person with a job she could find quite easily. She could’ve ruined his life right there if she had wanted to… but something in her subconscious stopped her.
…She wasn’t this petty.
Kim Dokja was walking toward the subway station nearest to his work while reading the newest (And apparently final) chapter of his favorite webnovel. As he was walking, a woman with a bob cut stopped him.
“Hey! You!” She said as she grabbed his arm.
Kim Dokja flipped around in surprise and looked into her strikingly cat-like eyes in confusion.
“Heheh that's right, don't you recognize me?”
“...”
“I found you my dear reader, you shouldn’t use your real name on novel websites don’t you know?”
“...”
Kim Dokja looked shocked, to say the least.
“Author-nim! I didn’t think we would meet like this, you are probably right... I shouldn’t be using my real name to read your novel... But it did allow us to finally meet!”
Han Sooyoung was more shocked than Kim Dokja, surely this reaction wasn’t from the same person who had been leaving hate comments on her work all this time...
Han Sooyoung put two-and-two together.
“Yes... that’s right. It did let you meet your favorite author.” Han Sooyoung snickered.
“...Is there a reason you wanted to meet me, author-nim?”
Han Sooyoung thought for a moment.
“You have been reading my novel this long, yes? Surely you deserve a reward for your loyalty, you even defended me when some ugly person plagiarized my work!”
“It truly was nothing author-nim, that other author was so much beneath you after all, her work was all overrated if you ask me.”
“...Well there were quite a few problems with my novel as well-”
“Like what?”
“...”
Surely there were some flaws to be found in the roughly a hundred chapters she had read? If only she remembered more than the comments he had left, which hardly ever had a bad word to say.
“...Anyways- the reward! I have prepared a very special one-on-one meet-and-greet for my devoted reader. If you would just come with me, I have quite the day planned…”
Han Sooyoung started typing on her phone furiously.
“And in the 999th turn, he even took Kim Namwoon to the end - in that one.”
“Uh-huh.”
Maybe he could badmouth the novel, after all.
“Seriously, that guy is just too cringy, you should’ve-”
“We’re here.”
Han Sooyoung was quite relieved, for someone who had cared about this novel so much, he still hadn’t figured out she wasn’t the author somehow.
“The reserved table is right over here.” A waitress sat them down.
Kim Dokja looked over the table with its red tablecloth and lit candelabra. “...A candlelit dinner?”
“What? Do you not want to discuss your favorite novel with your favorite author over a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant?”
“...” He averted her gaze.
“C-mon, I’m sure you’ve never eaten somewhere so expensive before right?”
“...” He looked down at his empty plate.
Before their lovely banter could continue, the waitress returned and they ordered.
“No sauce please.”
“No sauce?”
“I don't like tomatoes.”
She tilted her head to the side. “I’m not hungry, so just that for him.”
She smiled at him suspiciously.
“...So, where did you get the disconnected film theory from?” Kim Dokja asked as they finished up their dinner they had eaten in mostly awkward silence.
“I stole it from a less popular novelist.”
Han Sooyoung grinned and looked him in the eyes.
“...” He glared at her and got up from his table.
“I believe I’ll be leaving now.”
Han Sooyoung stopped him.
“Where are you going?”
“...I’ve finished eating.”
“That's not what I meant.”
Kim Dokja paused.
“You haven’t paid.”
“...”
Kim Dokja sat back down.
“So you’re even plagiarizing identities now?”
“I have no idea what you could mean…”
“...”
“...Fine I’ll pay.”
It was an awkward walk out of the building.
“You knew because you wrote the novel, yes?”
“You aren’t a very good actor.”
He waited at the subway station as she caught up.
“...It’s not polite to let the woman pay for the date you know.”
“...”
Kim Dokja glared at her with the energy of a certain main character.
“It was not a date and you are hardly a woman.”
He walked into the train.
“Hey asshole!”
She followed him.
“I still paid for your dinner, you know!”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Novels to steal ideas from?”
“I should say the same to you! It's what- 7:00, You-”
At that moment, the subway lights turned off, and the inside of the train became dark.
Kiiiiiiiik-!
The subway train shook loudly and let out a metallic sound. Han Sooyoung steadied herself on Kim Dokja’s shoulder before backing off and pretending nothing happened. After some time the train stopped completely.
People murmured and fumbled around in the darkness.
‘What's going on?’
‘W-What is this?’
The lights of a few phones turned on.
Han Sooyoung remembered something ridiculous.
「It is quite interesting to see the dokkaebi used like this.」
Han Sooyoung looked at the person who wrote said comment. “Hey loser, why don’t you seem bothered?”
“...I should ask you the same thing.”
They exchanged a glance before an announcement came on:
--Telling all passengers on the train. Telling all passengers on the train.
The loud surroundings became calm.
Han Sooyoung wondered if she had maybe misread the situation.
–E-Everyone run away… Run…!
There was a beeping sound, and the broadcast turned off. The inside of the train became a mess. A bright light flashed from the front of the subway train. There was a loud drumming sound followed by a pop. Something was heading this way in the darkness.
At this moment, the door of car 3807 opened wide, and the electricity returned.
“...Dokkaebi?” A woman nearby looked up at something that shouldn’t by all logic have been there.
[&erminó#@!&#secto@!…]
Dokja looked as if he was contemplating something as the creature spoke in gibberish. Han Sooyoung stared at this demon-like thing with two small golden horns peeking out of its white fur.
“Hey loser-” She nudged Dokja. “You know what that thing is, right?” He looked startled for a moment before slowly nodding.
A woman Han Sooyoung didn’t recognize spoke up. “Ah- Um… Qué?” The dokkaebi looked at the woman with a bemused expression before speaking again.
[Ah. Ah. Does this sound good? Ah, I had a hard time because the Korean patch didn't work. Everyone, can you hear my words?]
“Hey!” As Han Sooyoung spoke up, the dokkaebi turned to her. “What's going on?” She yelled at it nonchalantly.
[Ahh, good question. You see- Ahem -]
Before the creature could continue someone else also yelled.
“Hey!!! Some of us have things to do- I am the manager of a very important company-”
It was a man Han Sooyoung only knew because she saw him stealing a bike earlier.
[Now now, everyone relax and listen up, I have something very important to say. You see-]
"What? Quickly get off the train!"
"Somebody call the captain!"
"What are they doing without the cooperation of the citizens?"
"Mother, what is that? A cartoon?"
Many people started shouting. “Don’t say anything else.” Dokja whispered to her. “Why don’t you shut up-”
[Haha, you are really loud.]
An ominous feeling was felt from the dokkaebi.
[I told you to be quiet.]
The creature's eyes started glowing, illuminating the subway car with red light.
Something burst, and the subway became silent.
"Uh, uh. Uh…" There was a big hole in the forehead of the one who had stolen a bike.
The man who had scolded the dokkaebi collapsed on the spot.
[This isn’t a cartoon.]
There was a cracking sound once again. This time, it was the person talking about the captain.
[It isn't a dream. It isn't a novel either.]
One, two… Blood sprayed into the air as the heads of some people started to burst. They were all the people who had protested against
the dokkaebi, as well as the ones who screamed or went wild.
Those who caused the slightest fuss had a hole in their heads. Suddenly, the subway became a bloodbath.
Someone could be heard giggling over the violence.
[Ah, and you as well.]
Han Sooyoung felt an odd pressure like a headache. “Sh■■.”
“Wait!”
The dokkaebi diverted its gaze to Kim Dokja.
[Yes? Do you want to die with her?]
The pressure in Han Sooyoung’s head was slowly subsiding.
“D-don't you think this is a little unfair? There are few people remaining… And she even has a plan for this kind of situation you know, don't you think that might be interesting?”
[Oh? A plan? Heheheh, I’d love to see that.]
Han Sooyoung’s headache was completely gone.
[Anyways, ahem-] The dokkaebi looked back at the general crowd.
[This isn't the 'reality' that you know. Do you understand? So everyone shut up and listen to me.]
More than half the people present here had died. Blood and body pieces filled the subway.
Now, the people didn't scream.
Like primitive apes in front of a powerful predator, everyone just watched the dokkaebi with terror.
Kim Dokja braced himself on Han Sooyoung’s shoulder. She didn’t push him away.
[Everyone, your lives have been nice so far. Isn't that right?]
In the special needs seating area, an elderly grandmother met the eyes of the dokkaebi.
[You have been living too long for free. Isn't life too generous? You were born and paid no price for breathing, eating, pooping and breeding! Ha! You really live in a good world!]
Han Sooyoung knew very well most of these people had not lived for free…
…The same couldn’t be said for herself, she thought. She held back any disputes she carried, however. She had learned her lesson there.
[But now the good days are over. How long can you continue living for free? If you want to enjoy happiness, it is common sense to pay a price. Isn't that right?]
The people were silent.
“Well? How do you suggest we pay?”
A teenager who seemed unfazed addressed the dokkaebi.
The dokkaebi grinned at his words.
[Why don’t you see for yourself?]
The dokkaebi's horns rose like they were antennas, and its body floated to the ceiling of the train.
A moment later, a message rang out.
A small window emerged in front of everyone's blank eyes.
The dokkaebi smiled faintly as it became transparent and disappeared into the next space.
[Then, good luck everyone. Please show me an interesting story.]
People reacted differently after the dokkaebi disappeared. Some people tried to get out of the train while others called the police. Kim Dokja was looking at a woman who belonged to the latter group.
“No answer..”
She mumbled before noticing Dokja.
“Ah! Dokja-ssi!”
She seemed to relax after seeing him.
“...”
She turned to Han Sooyoung then glanced back and forth between them.
“And um… Sorry I don’t believe we’ve met…”
“This is-”
“I’m the author of his favorite novel.”
Kim Dokja immediately turned and glared at her. The woman smiled.
“My name is Yoo Sangah. It’s nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.
“...”
Yoo Sangah looked around, seemingly remembering the severity of the situation.
“D-Do you two have any idea what’s going on?”
"Yoo Sangah-ssi. Have you ever played the game that the development team-"
As Kim Dokja started what seemed like it would be a long explanation, Han Sooyoung wandered towards a certain teenager that had caught her eye. He was currently leaning against the side of the subway car.
「...I don’t like this character,
I hope he dies soon.」
“What do you want?” He spoke loudly over a soldier who had begun drawing attention in the background. Han Sooyoung looked at the name on his uniform.
“Kim Namwoon.”
“...”
He glared at her.
“Aren’t you going to complete the scenario?”
He glanced to the side at where his window must have been.
“...Are you… Volunteering?”
He grinned and stood up. Before he could do anything he was interrupted.
"Uwaaaaack! What?"
People dropped their phones as gunshots were heard from all over. It originated from their smartphones.
Chiiiik, there was a loud sound, and blood filled the screen.
After a moment, people held their breaths as they realized what had happened. Han Sooyoung had been distracted and realized belatedly, the prime minister had died.
His head had exploded in front of them. There were several more sounds like gunfire before the screens became silent. The next thing that appeared on the screens was a dokkaebi.
[Everyone, I've told you already. This isn't a game like 'terrorism'.]
People were at a loss for words as their mouths gaped open like dumb goldfish.
[Do you still not understand? This won't do. Do you still feel like this is a game?]
Han Sooyoung felt wary of the dokkaebi’s relaxed tone of voice.
[Haha, according to the data, the people of this country are very good at games. So, why don't I try raising the difficulty?]
Beeep. A huge timer appeared in the air. At the same time, it started decreasing rapidly.
"W-What is this-" Ka-boom!!! The person speaking was interrupted by a loud explosion that was heard from the car behind theirs. Blood splattered on the window as the mass of people drew quiet. There was the small sound of a man sighing from the car the explosion happened in, but it was otherwise also entirely silent.
After a beat, the carriage Han Sooyoung was in devolved into madness. Some people tried bracing themselves against the door, presumably to keep out whatever made that explosion, while others started fighting amongst themselves. Kim Namwoon was of the latter.
He had pulled a knife from somewhere and was charging at Han Sooyoung. She just barely dodged out of the way, as he had fumbled with the knife a bit before he could wield it. But she knew she wouldn't be able to avoid it a second time. She braced herself for what she knew she needed to do.
…Which was run back toward Kim Dokja and the soldier, pushing past a few people following her who seemingly had the same idea as the teenager. The soldier was in the middle of the car trying to relax the mad crowd. “Everyone j-just calm down and-” Someone bumped into him as they ran away from a pursuer.
“Lee Hyunsung?”
Han Sooyoung looked him up and down. He had brown hair shaved into a buzz cut, and he was quite tall, with muscles that convinced Han Sooyoung he could probably lift a car if he tried. She knew exactly who this was.
「But isn’t he too trusting? Surely Joonghyuk-ssi could find a teammate who is… brighter?」
He looked at her with confusion as she quickly dashed behind him. “Oh soldier-nim- Please save me!!” Before he could ask what from he was nearly stabbed in the stomach.
…Nearly. He was able to grab the hand of the kid trying to stab him just in time.
“H-Huh? Um- listen, just because things are a little scary right now doesn’t mean-”
“Shut up!! I have business with that girl.” Kim Namwoon snarled and tried to wrestle his knife away. Unfortunately for him Lee Hyunsung held his hand tightly. “Calm down, I’m sure if we work together we can figure out how to get out of this situation.” He quickly let go of his hand before taking the knife.
Kim Namwoon stood there, simply sulking for the time being. “Give me my knife back.” He glared at him. “I’m not going to do that.” He said gently but sternly.
“Didn’t you see the ‘Main Scenario’ or whatever? If I don't kill her then I’m just going to die instead. It’s the same for you, but if you help me kill her then we’d both get to live and only one person would have to die! …So give me my knife.”
A few people standing behind him nodded, but didn’t do anything. Lee Hyunsung seemed shaken for a moment before someone chimed in.
“That’s not true.” It was Kim Dokja, who was currently holding the hand of a small child with a bug net.
“What will you do after you kill her? Her death will be recognized as the ‘First Death’ as the dokkaebi said. Buying you some time, then what next?”
The people who had followed Kim Namwoon looked at each other. "If what the dokkaebi says is true, you each have to kill one thing. So, who will you kill after Han Sooyoung? Will you kill the person next to you?"
The crowd, Kim Namwoon excluded, started to back off. Lee Hyunsung let out a breath he had apparently been holding. "Haha, what are you all worried about? Then kill him next! Cowards. Don't worry about your turn in advance! The odds are equal!" Despite his words, he was clearly sweating.
"There is no need to gamble like that. There is a way for you to survive, even if you don't become a killer." Han Sooyoung started to catch on, having practically read his mind already.
「The scenario message says ‘Kill one or more living beings.’ not humans, so couldn’t you clear it by killing bugs or something? You should revise this author-nim.」
"Have you forgotten? The scenario clear condition wasn't to 'kill a person'." He took the bug net from the
little boy and pulled out a grasshopper, placing it in the child's hands before taking another one for himself.
The locusts and grasshoppers were jumping around in the collection net. Looking at them, the eyes of the people
shone. "That's right, the insects."
Han Sooyoung realized something as she counted the number of bugs in the net, and quickly snatched two, crushing one immediatly.
The crowd followed in her footsteps and started swarming Dokja. "Would you like it?" He waved the net like a red flag to a bull. A few people took the bait and leaped at him. "Then keep it!" He said, simultaneously crushing the bug in his hand and throwing the net out towards the crowd. People panicked as they saw the insects running around the carriage.
"Idiot! How are we going to pass??" Han Sooyoung shouted, hiding her remaining grasshopper.
"You already got one."
"...Not everyone here did." She looked at Yoo Sangah, Kim Namwoon, and Lee
Hyunsung.
"…You better find them soon. There are only three minutes left." He smiled at the group, who immediately started searching. Han Sooyoung simply stared at him.
"...You really are evil huh? You know there aren't enough bugs for everyone, shouldn't you save your coworker at least?" He looked away. "I don't need to." As she followed his gaze she understood. "Sorry!" Yoo Sangah yelped as she wrestled a grasshopper out of a middle aged man's hand.
"...I see that!" Kim Namwoon noticed the bug she was hiding. "Sh■■!" She couldn't hide behind the soldier anymore, and the teenager had somehow gotten his knife back in the commotion. Kim Dokja backed away from everyone as Han Sooyoung struggled. She was just barely able to avoid his attacks, but there was no way she could take him down.
...She would need two of her to do that, she thought. At this moment, she heard a message coming from nowhere.
A window appeared in front of her.
She just barely dodged an attack. "One!"
"I- Don't care!"
As she received these messages time seemed to slow down around her as a shower of blue sparks cascaded from above.
[I'm afraid you can't do that, my little copycat.]
She looked up and saw a figure covered in a dark cloak with two dragon-like wings seemingly keeping them afloat.
[I'm going to have to take away this skill of yours, but do not worry, I will give you one of my own in return.]
The sparks enveloped Han Sooyoung, and she passed out.