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[fullcursemeal]

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[thefaultinthestars]

Why are you playing ignorant. Is it hard to admit?

[fullcursemeal]

I don't know what makes you think I can be "redeemed".

[thefaultinthestars]

Because Appointment with Death under a Curtain is too caring to not have a redemption arc.

I know it's not the same as saying you never did anything wrong. But even heroes have things in their past that they can't be forgiven for.

[fullcursemeal]

That's just your opinion.

[thefaultinthestars]

It's a very well informed one.

[fullcursemeal]

Okay, Demon King of Salvation.

[thefaultinthestars]

Are you trying to make a point?

[fullcursemeal]

I'm saying maybe you need to demonstrate your qualifications.

[thefaultinthestars]

It's in the title? What proof do you want?

[fullcursemeal]

What does it mean?

[thefaultinthestars]

Well it's sort of...


[uh]



I think you might not like it.

[fullcursemeal]

Go on.

[thefaultinthestars]

Well...

The short of it is that at the end of the tenth scenario, you are supposed to go fight a Demon King for his throne, and whoever wins gets to be the new 73rd ranked demon king. However, because Olympus really wanted to kill me they set up a trap. They killed the demon king before we all arrived. But there's no stopping the main scenario so easily, so from the people gathered to fight the demon king, someone had to assume his throne immediately so that everyone else could fight him to the death.

[fullcursemeal]

[oh.

oh he doesn't like where this is going.

quiet, though. listening.]

[thefaultinthestars]

[The story 'Demon King of Salvation' wants to tell it's story.]

[Dokja hesitates a little at this message, because probably, it's not something Curtain really wants to see. But at the same time... it is something he literally asked for, and stories exist to be told, afterall.

So slowly, quietly, the story 'Demon King of Salvation' begins to tell it's story in words and images. Kim Dokja's voice quiets so the story can tell itself. The fight with Yu Junghyeok over who would be allowed to carry the burden, winning that fight, and transforming for the first time into a demon king.]

[fullcursemeal]

[well, this isn't the first time he sees a fight between him and Yu Junghyeok, but the overall atmosphere is so different, he watches silently, expression mostly blank]

[thefaultinthestars]

[“Remember how to deal with a demon king.” The giant Kim Dokja, pulsing with demonic energy, rippling with dark power, reminds his party in a gentle tone.

And from that point in the story begins the coaxing. It's a struggle. The party does not want to come to terms with the reality, but the clock is ticking. They don't have the time to reconcile, argue, or mourn. He cajoles them with his own immortality, promises another miraculous resurrection, meets their shocked and frightened expressions with one that seems to smile all too easily.

But when the party still can't bring themselves to attack him, he turns to the person he most trusts to carry out any plan.

"You are the only one. You have to take charge."

"…You are always like this, Kim Dokja. Do you think I’m an emotionless monster?"

But despite her furious and frightened eyes, Han Suyeong does as she is asked. Taking up the burden of rallying the party into killing Kim Dokja. Either one person would die or they all would die.

"You aren’t willing to sacrifice yourself so don’t be a hypocrite. Instead of dying, say thank you and swing your weapons!"

And the silent, sincerely grateful "Thank you" that forms on Kim Dokja's lips even as Han Suyeong strikes the first blows meant to kill him.]


[Jae, for his part, also watches the story, distant but fascinated. Honestly it's been a while since he read this one. He murmurs to himself a bit.]

I forgot about that...

[fullcursemeal]

[WOW, IT'S LIKE THIS IS HIGHLY RELEVANT RIGHT NOW OR SOMETHING.

Curtain's eyes drift briefly towards Jae as he says that, but he doesn't reply, focusing on the story again.

he has... a lot of feelings about this, a lot of opinions too, but now is not the time]

[thefaultinthestars]

[Seeing Han Suyeong begin the fight seems to move the rest of the party, but not fast enough. So one by one Kim Dokja speaks to each of them, convincing them in turn to turn their most powerful attacks on him.

This works, slowly, until reaching Jeong Huiwon. The woman herself shows sorrow and fury at the injustice, but little hesitation to do what must be done. But upon trying to put her full effort into killing her companion, finds her abilities do not work, as her constellation sponsor refuses to participate in the death of Kim Dokja.

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is covering her eyes with a pained expression.]

When all the angels in heaven vote upon whether or not a demon king should die, only one opposes them.

“Uriel, you know. This is just a story.” Kim Dokja spoke like a dokkaebi. “You must’ve seen many people die in the meantime.”

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is weeping and repeatedly shaking her head.]

“Do what you need to do. Only then will this story be completed.”

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is looking down at you.]

[All constellations of the absolute good system are in favor of Judgment Time.]

And finally, Jeong Huiwon, the Judge of Destruction, the character Kim Dokja raised himself, set the demon king alight with the full fury of the flames of Heaven.]



[At this point, Jae seems quite conflicted. Unable to look away from the faces of his allies but tears are unmistakably glittering his eyes. Will getting Jae to cry at his own story count to trigger your square, Curtain? He's very close.]

[fullcursemeal]

[he's too engrossed in the story to notice that right away, but when he does his own heart drops. he simultaneously wants to reach for him to try and offer some comfort and also just... disappear, let Jae have this all for himself.

his compromise is to pointedly not look at Jae and continue focusing on the story. it's hard, though, but he'll try]

[thefaultinthestars]

[the point at which Jae does start crying is in the next segment, when the children are finally forced to join the fray.]

[The girl who was his own incarnation, who had until now only moved about defensively, wept and refused to join in, who begged for any other alternative. But between the two of them, there was no need for words. Through the bond of constellation and incarnation, Kim Dokja conveyed his earnest need for her help and she had no choice but to answer.

"Gilyeong, think of this as a game."

Taking the hands of the other younger child they put forth all of their magic strength into controlling a massive dragon upon which they sit. Commanding it to suck up all of the wildly running evil energy in the chamber and fire it back at Kim Dokja, dealing a blow so powerful that his consciousness seems to fade, even as his body continues to routely, against his will, move through the motions of the fight.]

[Jae honestly doesn't seem to pay much attention to himself in the story, instead focusing only on the children.]

[fullcursemeal]

[jesus christ.

that feeling when you regret asking but at the same time you're glad you did.
and that sounds mean, but Curtain knows Jae might have never told him about this otherwise.

which is fair, really, he has no obligation to share any of this with him. but in a way, that only makes this all the more meaningful.

he doesn't make a sound, doesn't even turn to look at Jae, just keeps watching, respectfully.]

1/2

[thefaultinthestars]

[So much has been done but it is not enough.

Kim Dokja, a narrative grade constellation, was made into a proportionally powerful demon king. After over twenty minutes of the party depleting their energy and stamina trying to break down and tear apart his demonic form piece by piece, Kim Dokja was covered with blackened skin and countless wounds but his attacks only grew more powerful, and the pace of the combat did not slow.

Naturally, the final piece must be the protagonist who is not the protagonist. Yu Junghyeok finally recovers from the blow he was dealt earlier and faces Kim Dokja with solemn sorrow.

"It should’ve been me who died here."

But he understands the ways of the scenarios better than anyone, and better than anyone he is able to do what must be done whatever the cost. He joins into the fight without any quibbling and the power of his earth shaking strikes clearly are what was needed to inch Kim Dokja toward the last legs of his life.

There is one final hurdle. Kim Dokja had several remaining revivals, an ability obtained from hunting down the Yamata no Orochi. But this can easily be solved with a weapon in Yu Junghyeok's possession.

Kim Dokja had considered all of this and directs Yu Junghyeok to kill him properly and fully. And, with shaking eyes, Yu Junghyeok concedes to do so, switching to the one weapon that could truly slay Kim Dokja, the same weapon that had slain Yamata no Orochi.

[The stigma ‘Sacrifice’s Will Lv. 1’ has been activated!]

[The master of the stigma risks his life for others.]

The nameless constellation's first and only stigma triggers, rejuvenating those that he risks his life to save. And all around the party gathers up their strength for one final attack with only minutes left to end the fight.

"Thank you for everything.'

「 Incarnation Kim Dokja will be killed by the person he loves most. 」

This was the prophecy that brought Kim Dokja here. It had been a vexing prophecy for someone who could not sincerely claim to love anyone.

But now, on the absolute brink of death, with his party running at him, with the gazes of all of the stars in sky pointed at him, with the total weight of all of the characters in his own story coming together to bring about his end, it finally make sense.

This wasn’t the Ways of Survival he knew but — It was a story more wonderful than Ways of Survival.

He was laughing when Yu Junghyeok's sword pieced his heart.

"Kim Dokja."

"It was a really great story. Isn’t that right?"

Countless stars blinked.

Some, a small few, sent messages.

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ doesn’t wish for your death.]

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ doesn’t wish for your death.]

[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ doesn’t wish for your death.]

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ doesn’t wish for your death.]

“Let’s meet again, Yu Junghyeok.”

And as the battle is won, the demon king power fades from Kim Dokja's body which limply falls into Yu Junghyeok's arms.

[The main scenario has ended.]

[Seoul Dome has been freed.]

However, having become a mechanism of the star stream, even this is not enough.

A small hole opens in the air behind the fading Kim Dokja and begins to pull his body through. Yu Junghyeok fights and clings, but at the end of the scenario there is no need for the remains of the losers.

Kim Dokja's lifeless body is sucked into the empty space in the air, and completely broken down in absolute darkness.

[Your incarnation body has completely been destroyed.]

[You have failed the scenario.]

[You have been expelled from the scenario.]

[The Star Stream will announce your modifier.]

[Your modifier is the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.]

[thefaultinthestars]

[During the long final segment, Jae has the time to clean up his tears and get ahold of himself. He watches the very end with something like loneliness, fascination, fondness all at once.

When his body disappears despite Yu Junghyeok's desperate cries and Uriel's constantly blinking messages, Jae's own smile just seems bittersweetly satisfied.]

1/2

[fullcursemeal]

[as the battle draws to its climax, Curtain just finds himself lost more and more within the story. his attention fully gone from Jae, now consumed by Kim Dokja in the memory and all of his companions.

which is why it's a little hard to tell when he, himself, starts tearing up. and how much of it has to do with seeing Jae in pain before or if it's purely because of what he's witnessing. everyone's sorrow.

not that it males a difference, at any rate.



he stays very still and quiet, even after the story has ended and they find themselves alone again. a moment of silence for the dead, perhaps. even if the dead is sitting by his side, right now.]