Protagonist

**Protagonist**, alternatively known as **The Protagonist**, is the second story arc of the webnovel. It includes chapters seven through eleven.

## Summary

The survivors of the subway car look outside to see that the rest of Seoul is in ruin as well. As they do that, constellations start sending them indirect messages, and the first sponsor selection starts. Dokja ends up not choosing one. Dokja talks to the survivors of the subway car while they wait for the next scenario, one of which is Lee Hyunsung. Just then, someone in Carriage 3707 attacks the door, and Dokja realizes it is Joonghyuk, so he makes them leave immediately.

The next scenario at Dongho Bridge starts. Because the bridge only allows an even-number of people to cross, Dokja ends up being the only one left on one side, and he has to fight a spawn of demonic people as he tries to figure out how to get to the other side. He discovers his skill, Bookmark, and uses it to fight with. At that moment, Joonghyuk kills the spawn and grabs Dokja by the neck, asking him how he survived. Through his Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint skill, Dokja reads Joonghyuk's mind and realizes that Joonghyuk will kill him if he finds Dokja's story disturbing, so Dokja comes up with a suitable explanation. Dokja's explanation makes Joonghyuk assume he is a prophet.

Near the end of the bridge, Joonghyuk pauses to check if Kim Dokja really is a prophet. He holds Dokja over the edge of the bridge, asking if he would release him. Dokja thinks about it and says yes. Joonghyuk releases him, smiling brightly and stating that he believes Kim Dokja's claims of being a prophet. Kim Dokja plummets down into Han River, falling into the mouth of a sea commander ichthyosaur and fails the sub scenario.

## Features

### Characters

* Kim Dokja
* Ichthyosaurs\*
	+ Sea commander ichthyosaur
* Unnamed constellations
* Yoo Sangah
* Bihyung
* Lee Hyunsung
* Lee Gilyoung
* Han Myungoh
* Abyssal Black Flame Dragon\*
* Demon-like Judge of Fire\*
* Secretive Plotter\*
* Prisoner of the Golden Headband\*
* Yoo Jonghyuk\*
* Kim Namwoon †
* Lame Trickster\*\*

An \* symbol indicates that this is the first arc a character has appeared in.
Two \*\* symbols indicate the appearance was mention only.

### Locations

* 3434 Train to Bulgwang, Carriage 3807
* Dongho Bridge
* Han River

### Scenarios

* Main Scenario 1
* Sub Scenario: Escape

## Synopsis

### Protagonist (1)

After the end of the first scenario, the survivors of carriage 3807 look outside at the carnage that has befallen Seoul. They spot ichthyosaurs swimming around Han River and under Dongho Bridge, which ignore the train because there is no scenario driving them to attack. The system informs everyone that compensation is delayed due to a scenario check; Kim Dokja assumes it is due to his unexpected actions, and observes Kim Namwoon's dead body in the meantime. Unnamed constellations begin to send messages about their feelings towards his actions; some are hostile, while others admire his actions, and sponsor coins. Kim Dokja ignores them and picks up Kim Namwoon's discarded knife.

Yoo Sangah, having survived the scenario, then calls out to Kim Dokja. He apologizes for not saving the old lady, thinking about how many people will die in the future. Yoo Sangah begins to ask him something, possibly a question about how he is so calm, before cutting herself off and thanking him. Kim Dokja realizes she is thanking him because he threw the insect net in her direction, and rejects her thanks. Yoo Sangah nods, as Kim Dokja's actions may have saved her life, but others died nonetheless. The dokkaebi then appears in the carriage, startled at the events in the carriage and happy at the high number of subscribers to his channel. He comments on the surprising nature of the people in carriage 3807, as well as the "nutter" in the next carriage, before pulling up the list of survivors, which includes Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah, as well as Lee Hyunsung, Han Myungoh, and Lee Gilyoung. The last of these is revealed to be the young boy from whom Kim Dokja took the insect net; watching Lee Gilyoung stare blankly at his dead relative, Kim Dokja calls out to him and offers to team up with him. Lee Gilyoung moves next to him, and Yoo Sangah watches, impressed; Kim Dokja acknowledges internally that his deed was meant to impress, but his true target was the constellations, who sponsor coins to him.

Han Myungoh calls out to the dokkaebi, asking if they will be released. Kim Dokja wonders why he is riding the subway when he is rich enough to own a Mercedes Benz S-Class. The dokkaebi chuckles, asking if he wants to go outside, where they had earlier spotted monsters roaming. He then offers compensation for the scenario they completed, naming the sponsorship of the constellations as their prize. Kim Dokja recognizes that the Sponsor Selection event is about to begin; the dokkaebi explains the purpose of the sponsorships, upon which Lee Hyunsung asks who is sponsoring them. Annoyed that his words are not being heard, the dokkaebi triggers the Sponsor Selection event.

Yoo Sangah calls out to Kim Dokja, asking for his advice on the two options that appeared before her; Kim Dokja claims he cannot help, focusing on his own options: Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, Demon-like Judge of Fire, Secretive Plotter, and Prisoner of the Golden Headband. He thinks through each option, identifying the modifiers (titles replacing the constellations' real names) from his memories of Ways of Survival. He notes Abyssal Black Flame Dragon as a powerful constellation with some downsides, ultimately excluding him. He recognizes Demon-like Judge of Fire as Archangel Uriel, another powerful sponsor but one who imposed restraints on their chosen. Kim Dokja does not recognize the modifier Secretive Plotter from Ways of Survival, setting the choice aside temporarily. He is extremely awed by Prisoner of the Golden Headband, recognizing him as the Great Sage the Equal of Heaven, Sun Wukong, an extremely powerful constellation. Kim Dokja realizes that if he accepts the last offer, he will gain extreme power and be able to survive the scenarios easily.

However, Kim Dokja's awareness of the protagonist's strength causes him to more deeply consider his options, wondering if any of them will allow him to win against the protagonist. As time continues, Kim Dokja focuses on his options, working through his concerns.

### Protagonist (2)

As the Sponsor Selection ends, Kim Dokja watches the reactions of the constellations roll in. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, revealed to be Kim Namwoon's original sponsor, is displeased by Kim Dokja's choice, as is Demon-like Judge of Fire, Uriel. Secretive Plotter and Prisoner of the Golden Headband, meanwhile, are interested by his choice, with Secretive Plotter sponsoring coins. It is revealed that Kim Dokja did not chose any sponsor, which worries him due to the loss of possible powers, but he believes there are limitations to being sponsored by a constellation, and also expects there to be a way for a sponsorless incarnation to grow strong. The dokkaebi is greatly interested by Kim Dokja's choice, commenting on it before ordering everyone to stay in place as he prepares the next scenario. He then disappears.

Kim Dokja mentally prepares himself for the next scenario, running over the skills he knows are in his possession. The survivors gather around and Lee Hyunsung introduces himself to Kim Dokja; the latter determines that he must get Lee Hyunsung to come with him, as he grows increasingly stronger in Ways of Survival, which will be helpful. Lee Hyunsung thanks Kim Dokja for his help in surviving the scenario. Just then, Han Myungoh gets Kim Dokja's attention and reprimands him for not addressing him with his office title, as well as for not first offering him an insect. He threatens Kim Dokja, asking how much time is left on his contract. Kim Dokja grows aware that though Han Myungoh used to rank higher than him, such ranks are now meaningless, and is disgusted by Han Myungoh's actions, telling him to shut up. He tells everyone that they need to wake up and recognize that the apocalypse has come, pointing out various details of the scenarios as evidence.

Everyone is stricken by his words, but accepts them. Lee Hyunsung asks Kim Dokja if this really isn't a dream, and his firm and certain response causes Lee Hyunsung to trust Kim Dokja, asking him what his next plan is. Kim Dokja responds that they need to leave the train; at the protest of the others, he asks if they intend to stay here when their families are still stranded outside in the ruined world. The adults grow worried, and when only Yoo Sangah is moved, Kim Dokja proposes a vote. He, Yoo Sangah, and Lee Gilyoung all vote to leave, while Lee Hyunsung is too unsure of the situation, and Han Myungoh insists on staying inside, afraid of the dokkaebi.

Just then, someone in carriage 3707 attacks the door between the two cars, denting it. Though everyone is confused, Kim Dokja quickly realizes that the attacker is the sole survivor of carriage 3707 and the protagonist of Ways of Survival. Han Myungoh and Lee Hyunsung move to confront the person on the other side of the door, but a nervous Kim Dokja stops them, insisting that they need to leave immediately, or else they will all be killed even before the next scenario starts.

### Protagonist (3)

Kim Dokja asks Lee Hyunsung and Han Myungoh if they would rather die to the survivor of carriage 3707 or if they would rather try surviving outside the train, to which Lee Hyunsung asks if Kim Dokja is sure that the survivor is a threat. Kim Dokja points out that if they survived, they had to have killed the people in their carriage, and therefore must have killed other humans. Lee Hyunsung is sufficiently convinced, as is Han Myungoh, and everyone begins checking for escape routes, many of which are blocked or broken. The door to carriage 3707 is close to breaking, and Kim Dokja wonders at the protagonist's strength; he then finds an exit which he manages to open partway, but not enough for the adults to pass through. Han Myungoh and Lee Hyunsung attempt to pull the doors open in vain. Kim Dokja considers using coins to raise his strength stat, but dismisses the option in case he needs the coins in the future.

Instead, Kim Dokja encourages Lee Hyunsung to use a "skill". He checks the soldier through Character List, confirming that his sponsor is the same as in Ways of Survival, before guiding him through checking his Attributes Window and calling on the skill. Lee Hyunsung uses what Kim Dokja identifies as his stigma, Great Mountain Push, forcing open the door of the carriage. Everyone is awed, and Lee Hyunsung's trust in Kim Dokja increases due to his reliability. Kim Dokja is relieved and hands Lee Gilyoung to Lee Hyunsung to carry on his back.

The door between carriages has almost broken by the time they make it outside; however, the true danger comes from the dokkaebi floating above Dongho Bridge, who is frustrated at their early escape. Han Myungoh is frightened at his irritation, but the dokkaebi leaves them alone, because the sub scenario has begun. The scenario window appears, requiring everyone to cross the "broken bridge"; Yoo Sangah points out that the bridge is currently intact, but Kim Dokja quickly realizes that this means it will soon be broken, and orders everyone to run as fast as possible to cross it. The bridge, he understands, is not broken because of their early exit from the train.

The party makes their way towards the bridge; just then, an ichthyosaur emerges from a whirlpool in Han River, below the bridge. Kim Dokja realizes it is a 7th grade monster, a sea commander, and that it is too strong for a normal human to fight, indicating that it not meant to be fought currently. Indeed, the ichthyosaur attempts to chew on and destroy the bridge. Kim Dokja estimates that at their current speed, they should be able to cross before the bridge breaks; however, the dokkaebi increases the scenario's difficulty, causing the dead people from the train to be reanimated and chase after the party. Lee Hyunsung and Lee Gilyoung cross the bridge safely, but the others are too slow and are caught by the zombies, both from the train and from those who died on the bridge. As they struggle through the enemies, the bridge finally breaks, causing great damage to the zombies and leaving Kim Dokja, Yoo Sangah, and Han Myungoh alive but stranded.

However, at that moment, an unidentified constellation uses their power to cause a scenario Deus Ex Machina, creating an "Even Bridge" made of light, spanning the gap between the broken halves of Dongho Bridge. Yoo Sangah reveals that her sponsor is the one who created the bridge, and Kim Dokja is amazed at their power, wondering about their identity. When he tries to use Character List on her to verify this, however, the skill fails. He begins to realize the reason why, but at that moment, she redirects his attention back to the bridge problem: only an even number of people can cross the bridge, meaning only two of the three people can cross the bridge, leaving someone to die.

### Protagonist (4)

Yoo Sangah warns Kim Dokja to look out for attacks from the zombies i.e. demonic people around them. He dodges before recognizing his attacker as the reanimated Kim Namwoon; he attempts to use Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Level 1 on the latter, but the skill fails due to Kim Namwoon being dead and lacking a proper consciousness. He lands an attack on Kim Dokja, poisoning him with his demonic person's black ether as well as his innate Blackening skill.

Kim Dokja attempts to warn Yoo Sangah of the danger posed by the black ether, only to realize that Han Myungoh has taken her and run across the bridge, abandoning him. He identifies the source of Han Myungoh's speed as the stigma of the constellation Lame Trickster, attempting to verify this through Character List; however, the ability fails once more. Kim Dokja realizes that Han Myungoh and Yoo Sangah are not registered in Character List due to them not being "characters" present in the original Ways of Survival.

Kim Dokja attempts to figure out a way to cross the bridge, considering partnering with one of the demonic people before him as a solution before dismissing them. He bides his time as he thinks, fighting off the demonic people and pushing them off the bridge to the ichthyosaur below. Kim Namwoon survives, landing more attacks on him, and constellations sponsor coins to Kim Dokja for his adversity. The dokkaebi laughs when none of the constellations make any further move to help him, telling him he should've chosen a sponsor earlier. Kim Dokja ignores him and continues fighting off Kim Namwoon with his knife, before discovering the skill Bookmark, immediately selecting Kim Namwoon's Bookmark and fighting off the demonic student using his own version of Blackening. He manages to push a struggling Kim Namwoon off the edge of the bridge.

At this point, the person Kim Dokja has been waiting for appears, tearing through the demonic people with inhuman strength and making his way towards the bridge. Though Kim Dokja had prepared to challenge him, he becomes afraid at the display of strength. The man asks who he is, and instead of answering Kim Dokja uses Character List on him, finding that he is indeed the protagonist of Ways of Survival, Yoo Joonghyuk of the 3rd round. Before Kim Dokja can finish reading his skills, Yoo Joonghyuk seizes him by the neck and demands to know how he is alive.

### Protagonist (5)

Yoo Joonghyuk continues to hold up Kim Dokja by the collar, while Lee Hyunsung and the others wait at the other end of the bridge, unable to see the situation due to the safety ward. Yoo Joonghyuk demands Kim Dokja's name, finding it strange, then punches him to test his strength, querying whether Kim Dokja has already mastered coin usage. Upon Kim Dokja's sharp reply, Yoo Joonghyuk hits him again, ordering him to only answer his questions and not make unnecessary comments.

Though Kim Dokja is worried by Yoo Joonghyuk's actions, he understands them to be the worn-out result of three regressions. When Kim Dokja refuses Yoo Joonghyuk's demands to use honorifics, he only just manages to block another punch from the regressor, causing the latter to grow wary. Kim Dokja brushes past, telling him that Yoo Joonghyuk should be the one using honorifics, since he is younger; he knows the age of the pro gamer Yoo Joonghyuk due to his own employment at a game company. He also claims that he's a fan (technically true, due to his love of Ways of Survival). Yoo Joonghyuk grudgingly accepts his answer, but asks how he survived on the subway. Through Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Level 2, Kim Dokja realizes that Yoo Joonghyuk means to kill him if he finds anything about his story disturbing. He concisely describes his situation with the insects. Yoo Joonghyuk grows concerned, since only Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon were meant to survive, and wonders if Kim Dokja is a regressor, but Kim Dokja explains that he spotted Lee Gilyoung's insects because of an explosion in the front carriage, which Yoo Joonghyuk recognizes as having been a change he himself made this regression.

Kim Dokja suggests moving to Oksu Station together to complete the scenario, but Yoo Joonghyuk is suspicious at his calmness and survival skills, attempting to use Sage's Eye on him and read his Attributes Window. However, Kim Dokja's skill Fourth Wall comes to life and blocks Sage's Eye. Yoo Joonghyuk is alarmed, but Kim Dokja quickly adjusts his plan, telling him that he will need a reliable comrade and implying that he knows the future. Yoo Joonghyuk's Lie Detection skill confirms his words, making him identify Kim Dokja as a prophet, similar to Anna Croft. Kim Dokja confirms that he can somewhat see the future and that he predicted Yoo Joonghyuk's arrival; he further states that he knows Yoo Joonghyuk partially knows the future, and offers to fill in the gaps for him. As the scenario nears its end, Yoo Joonghyuk reluctantly accepts Kim Dokja's aid, taking him across the Even Bridge; meanwhile, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint is deactivated from fatigue.

As they near the end of the bridge, Yoo Joonghyuk pauses to check if Kim Dokja really is a prophet, causing the latter to become tense. Yoo Joonghyuk holds Kim Dokja over the edge of the bridge, asking if he will release him. Kim Dokja, unable to read his mind, thinks over the situation and tells Yoo Joonghyuk that he expects better treatment and mutual cooperation in the future. Yoo Joonghyuk agrees, interested, and asks for an answer to his earlier question. Kim Dokja tells him to release him and get lost; Yoo Joonghyuk releases him, smiling brightly and stating that he believes Kim Dokja's claims of being a prophet. Kim Dokja plummets down into Han River, falling into the mouth of a sea commander ichthyosaur and failing the sub scenario.

## Trivia

* Chapter 7 is the first chapter in which constellations heavily feature.
	+ The first indirect message is sent in this chapter.
	+ The first constellation modifier is seen in this chapter.

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 ORV Novel Chapter 7 (read original)
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 ORV Novel Chapter 8 (read original)
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 ORV Novel Chapter 9 (read original)
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 ORV Novel Chapter 10 (read original)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 ORV Novel Chapter 11 (read original)