Han Donghoon stayed frozen, while the red dragon stared at him intensely, gaze trailing from his head to toe as if its evaluating him.

Slowly, Igneel crawled away from Cale, and Donghoon flinched when the creature began circling him a few times before wagging its tail happily.

"Kyang!" It said and quickly leaped into the boy's arms. Thankfully, the latter had pretty good reflexes to catch it in time.

"Oof—!" Donghoon wasn't sure what to do. He could only stand still in bewilderment with parted lips.

"I think he recognized you," Cale commented nonchalantly. "Since you kept him when he was inside the meteorite and all."

Igneel beamed and Donghoon laughed nervously, "Ahaha... Right..."

He watched as the dragon flew back to Cale, settling around the man's neck comfortably. Cale doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all.

"So it really is a dragon..." Donghoon muttered, walking closer to sit on the bed.

The young man nodded. "It is, though it's going to be real bothersome to keep him."

"Why? Because it's dangerous?"

Cale scrunched up his nose. "No, I just hate attention."

No doubt, having a disaster around would rise the constellations' interest towards him considering how attached Igneel seems to be.

Of course, it's still dangerous despite only being a baby dragon so he plans to return it as soon as possible.

'There's a place for dragons in the novel, right?' He began pondering, but after digging through his memories, the book didn't specify where dragons live. They just appeared in the Great War of Saints and Demons as materials for the scenario, something to be disposed of.

Having another dragon by his side again would be great for his protection. Dragons are mighty creatures, an existence above everything else with only gods as exceptions. But keeping it would also mean getting tangled up in everything that's going to happen in this world. Cale would rather not do that more than he already has.

'Should I just give it to Kim Dokja?'

However, he quickly dispersed the thought.

'No, he's a person with clear objectives and very awful when it comes to improvisation. The guy would have no idea what to do with it.'

He sighed and finally looked at Han Donghoon again. "I can take care of him until we figure out how to get him home."

"Okay," the teen hesitantly nodded at his suggestion after looking at Igneel one last time.

'He doesn't seem like he wants to leave Cale Ahjussi, though?' Donghoon thought.

"Then, why did you come look for me?" Cale asked, reminding himself that there must be a reason why the other entered his tent in the first place.

"Ah! Right! The hunting groups returned. They've restocked the meat already."

"What about Kim Dokja's group?"

"They're here as well, I told them you're sleeping so they said they'll just wait until you wake up. They also brought magic stoves to cook the monsters meat with. Dokja Ahjussi said he found it on the way."

'Found it on the way, my ass. You know exactly where it is,' Cale grumbled internally.

"I see. They're all waiting?"

"Mhm. They're already cooking. We're all just waiting for you right now," Donghoon smiled, subconsciously flashing the small dimples on his cheeks.

Cale sighed, dragging himself out of the bed. "Let's get going then."

When they left the tent, he could instantly smell the freshly cooked food. Chatters ensued around him as people talked amongst themselves. The atmosphere was positive because it's been a while since everyone ate proper meals. Upon catching sight of him, people began to wave before turning confused by the strange creature wrapping itself around Cale's neck. He naturally ignored the questioning looks.

It wasn't long until he spots Kim Dokja's group. Jung Heewon and Na Bori were eating leisurely at the edge while facing the train tracks with their legs dangling. Yoo Sangah sat across from Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung. The woman smiled as Dokja cleaned the boy's mouth using a handkerchief. Han Myungoh couldn't be seen. The man most likely left after getting the curse. Meanwhile, Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon were talking, the latter's red eyes seemed to sparkle at the topic. But Cale didn't miss it.

"Why are you so pale, Namwoon-ah?" He frowned.

At the familiar voice, Namwoon and Bori turned their heads simultaneously, their expressions brightening after seeing him.

"Hyung!" / "Ahjussi!"

After the teens approached closer, the pale complexion on Namwoon could be seen more clearly.

Cale patted both of their heads.

"What happened?" He asked, quiet enough so the others can't hear.

"That... Ah- Um..." Namwoon scratched the back of his head, unsure what to say and how to say it.

Na Bori decided to step in and help him. "Namwoon got dragged by the annoying Ahjussi into the underground rat's hole..."

Both of them averted their gaze, afraid and expecting Cale to be mad. They flinched when they heard a deep sigh.

"It's okay. Unexpected things happen."

They quickly looked at him again with slightly wide eyes.

He crossed his arms. "I just want to know what scared you so much since you're quite pale. Is that all?"

"No!" Namwoon immediately denied. "Hyung, do you have any idea how awful it was?!" He latched onto Cale's shoulder, looking at the man straight in the eyes as his pupils shook in horror. "I can't get it out of my head, hyung! It got into his mouth— his stomach! F*ck, I got the chills just by thinking about it. Seeing it in real life is different compared to watching it in animes! I absolutely hated it! Aagh!" He pulled onto his white dyed hair, squeezing his eyelids shut.

Cale stared at him blankly.

'Seems like it traumatized him a bit.'

His lips twitched into a small smile, but he couldn't hold back the soft chuckle that escaped his throat. Something that made everyone freeze and look at him dumbly. The usual stoic man was smiling brightly, eyes turning into crescents as his shoulders slightly shook from laughter.

Kim Dokja rubbed his eyes, frowning as he watched the scene. 'What the hell, are those sparkles and flowers in the background?' He blinked a few more times, making sure he's not seeing it wrong. 'Damn it, a non-fictional character has no business being this pretty. The world is so unfair.'

Cale ruffled the unmoving Namwoon's hair as his smile gradually turned into a barely visible one. "You did well. I'm sure it was difficult holding yourself back from fighting the monster."

"H-Huh...? Oh, yeah..." Namwoon replied, still trying to process what just happened. He shakes his head, snapping out of his daze and finally noticed the thing around Cale's neck. "... Hyung, what is that?"

At this, everyone shifted their attention to the creature.

Igneel seems to be observing Namwoon and the others, scanning them from head to toe like he did with Donghoon. His gaze was really vicious.

Cale raised a hand to cover the dragon's bronze eyes. "It's a dragon and a future disaster," He said calmly.

"..."

Silence.

"Say what now?" Heewon was the first to speak.

"What's a disaster?" Gilyoung asked curiously.

Kim Dokja was the one who answered in a nonchalant manner, "It's in their name. Disasters are serious disruptions in scenarios. Most of the time, they just destroy everything in their way. It's like natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, etc. Except this time, disasters are in the form of physical beings. You know, like giant monsters you often see in movies trying to kill everyone."

"..."

Another silence.

Lee Hyunsung sighed. "You know, Heewon-ssi, I'm starting to understand why you said these two are a bit similar."

Casually dropping bombs as if it's just another tuesday.

Cale brushed the comment away as he focused on Kim Dokja. "We need to talk."

• • •

Kim Dokja followed Cale as he led him into the tent. He noticed the remaining of the red meteorite on the bed and his gaze landed back to Cale who was wrapping his arms around the dragon, preventing it from pouncing on anything else.

"What do you need from me?" Dokja asked. Considering Cale wanted to talk in private, there must be something he wants.

"Information."

"What?" Kim Dokja blinked.

Well, that wasn't what he was expecting.

The edge of Cale's lips twitched. "Kim Dokja, you know something about this whole apocalypse thing, don't you?"

[The exclusive skill. 'Fourth Wall', is trembling!]

His eyes shook slightly, but after a blink, Kim Dokja already regained his composure. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," He replied calmly, acting confused, and Cale had to applaud him for it.

"Hm..." He hummed, and his hand began to gently caress the scales on his lap. Igneel purred at the gesture. "You see, not long ago, I went to Dongmyo Station. I'm sure you know about this."

Dokja reluctantly nodded with a small frown. He couldn't see where the conversation was going. "I've heard of it. People talked about how you returned heavily injured or something."

Cale smiled, and it made the other man feel extremely iffy. "Do you know what I've found over there?"

"...What is it?"

"Prophets. No, to be exact, self-proclaimed prophets because they've read a certain revelation. They kept checking their phones too. Do you understand where I'm going with this?" He said, his brown eyes twinkling gleefully. "Revelation. What are the chances that the revelation is a simple novel that happens to bring changes to the world?"

Of course, Cale only knew because of Omniscient Reader, but Kim Dokja doesn't need to know that.

He could only relish at the fact that the main character looked so caught off guard. Wide dark onyx eyes staring at him as they screamed 'how did you know?'

Cale's smile widened as he shrugged. "I also read a lot of books. I know where the plot goes most of the time. The events happening are from a novel that you read. That's why you know a lot of things. Am I wrong?"

"..."

Kim Dokja's eyelids went shut, and he took a deep breath to calm himself. "No, you're right." He gazed deeply towards Cale again. "This is the world of a web novel that I read. But how did you figure it out? That those people are only readers. Also, based on what you said, you didn't read Ways of Survival."

"Mm. If that's the name of this world's novel, then no, I didn't read it. The prophets are just suspicious. They can't drop hints of revelation and mentions of characters without expecting someone to put the dots together." He waved dismissively. "Now that I confirmed it, I really need that information."

"Haa..." Dokja sighed, folding his arms. "What information do you need?"

"Dragons. Where do they live? I need to return this guy." Cale motions to Igneel who was busy rolling on the bed.

"... How did you end up with it anyway?"

"Long story short, he was with Donghoon-ah. The prophets were using the kid to keep the meteorite safe, thinking that it contains high-leveled artifacts."

Kim Dokja furrowed his brows, holding his chin with his fingers. He seemed deep in thought. "Then that means there are people trying to get rid of the prophets. Once the meteorite hatched, Igneel would wipe out everyone." He glanced at the small happy creature. "At least it was supposed to."

"That's right. They're called the apostles. They're 'prophets', or readers that read up to at least Scenario 50." Again, it was from the novel.

'I have to get rid of them. I promised Donghoon.'

"Hm, give me a minute." Kim Dokja pulled out his phone and activated his skill. He quickly scrolled down to find the proper paragraph. "Here. It's revealed in the protagonist's 303rd regression turn. The dragons live in a world similar to earth, but vastly different. It's like a completely other dimension, and the only way to get there is through a scenario's portal. The protagonist went through this while doing a favor for the Dragon Lord, Ignis, the son of the deceased Dragon King."

"Dragon King?"

"It's the dragon behind you right now," Kim Dokja said monotonously, looking up from his phone.

Cale whipped his head, turning to Igneel who's latching onto his shoulder with a tilted head.

"Kyu?"

"Haahh... And what do I have to do to get there?"

Kim Dokja's expression twisted in concern.

"... Are you sure? I mean, it's a world ruled by dragons. It's extremely dangerous."

"You think it's better to just keep it?"

"Well, no. That's also dangerous. He can turn into a disaster once the scenario calls for it."

"Exactly. I have to take risks one way or another."

Kim Dokja shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, you truly plan on going there," He said, more as a statement to convince himself because of how unbelievable it sounded.

"Right. That's why I need you to take the kids including the dragon with you."

Dokja perked his head up, scrunching his brows in confusion. "What? I'm a babysitter to you now?"

Cale's gaze sharpened, not at Kim Dokja, but at something the other does not quite understand. Thankfully, the latter managed to prevent himself from shuddering. "There's something I must do first. We'll meet again soon. Just protect the children for a while."

"...And what do I get out of this?"

The hidden redhead smirked. This is one of the few reasons he liked Kim Dokja. The main character also loves gaining benefit from others.

"A conclusion."

The older man stilled.

'Kim Dokja. I'll pave the way for you. So don't sacrifice yourself needlessly, you stupid bastard.'

———

a/n : we're getting into the exciting parts soon, i can't wait!

also, thank you for the 3k votes. i'm so happy that this story is receiving so many love and support. thank you for giving it a chance. ♡