Cale retracted his hand as the person fell limp to the ground. Flashes of red lightning could be seen dancing on his fingertips before they disappeared. He stared down upon the dead body near his feet, silence lingering in the air.

Of course, it didn't take long until the avatar of Han Sooyoung broke it.

"... Whoa, dude, you burnt him to a crisp. Now it smells like grilled meat."

He scrunched up his face, looking down at the avatar with an odd expression. "Stop that. You sound like you're into cannibalism."

Sooyoung looked flabbergasted and immediately retorted, "H-Hey! I just said that it smells like grilled meat! You're putting words in my mouth right now!"

Cale didn't respond to her and simply bent down to pick up the fallen items.

[The item 'Three Ring Loop' has been acquired.]

[The item 'Dragon Jar' has been acquired.]

Sooyoung watched him do so. "... What're you gonna do with those?"

"I'm not giving them to you," he said bluntly.

"Meh. Worth a try."

Cale stepped over the corpse and started walking again, the hem of his white robe stained with a few specks of blood but at this point, he wasn't paying attention.

[Channel '#RU-9013' is currently broadcasting!]

[Channel '#SE-7548' is currently broadcasting!]

[Channel '#PA-5677' is currently broadcasting!]

[Channel '#DI-8823' is currently-]

[Many constellations are watching you.]

He especially did not want to pay attention to the blue notification windows that were present. He could not see Bihyung and Saga's channel anywhere, so they were probably broadcasting another scene.

Cale shrugged it off and decided to continue on his journey.

[Number of kings remaining: 6.]

One more, and then he'll come to support Kim Dokja in the Last King's Qualification battle.

Just then, something appeared in front of his face and made him halt.

[You have received a private message from a constellation!]

[The constellation, 'Benevolent Light of Judgement' says that she had gotten what you requested.]

Sooyoung seemed to be puzzled when he suddenly stopped, unable to see the message as she looked up at him questioningly. Then her curious expression shifted into a creeped-out grimace. The crimson reaper was wearing such a malicious look on his face and she couldn't help but wish that he'd drop her head from his hand immediately.

"... What's up with you...?" she asked hesitantly.

"Change of plans. I have to go somewhere else. You kill the 6th king," he said abruptly, causing her to freeze.

Han Sooyoung was caught off guard, so she was naturally silent for a short while before speaking like he had lost his mind, "Okay, let me get this straight, you want me to kill the 6th king? And you thought that I'd just accept that kind of command, working my ass off and-"

"10.000 coins."

"-it's a crime that you're not crushing my head already. Get on with it."

Cale smirked and blasted the avatar's head off with his lightning bolt.

Honestly, he would've regretted spending that much money on such a request, but what the Sun God had was much more valuable, even millions of coins would be nothing compared to it.

While money could support his slacker life, that thing would guarantee it.

He glanced at the windows of the channels that were recording him before pulling out a teleportation scroll. He ripped it, allowing the magic to engulf him before he disappeared elsewhere.

• • •

When Cale opened his eyes, he was in a bright room- a white temple from the looks of it. The walls were plain, yet the structures looked majestic. His gaze trailed from the clear marble floor to the high ceiling, observing his surroundings.

Suddenly, there were the sounds of footsteps approaching.

As Cale turned his attention toward the source of the footsteps, a figure emerged from a side chamber of the temple. She was radiant, her presence emanating a warm and comforting glow. The figure, clad in a flowing white gown, had long, flowing golden hair that seemed to shimmer like sunlight. Her silver eyes sparkled with warmth, and her presence exuded an otherworldly aura.

"Cale, welcome to the Sun Temple," the woman spoke, her voice melodic and soothing. "As you already know, I am Angelina, the Sun God."

Cale stared blankly at her, crossing his arms. The god was as bright as Alberu. "I know very well of the damn god who made my hyung have difficulty embracing his own identity," he said flatly. "You're lucky he likes Taerang and it has helped us through many crises."

Angelina chuckled sheepishly, despite still emitting that radiant grace. "I'm... very bad at arranging my words properly."

"Or you gods just like to be cryptic for no reason."

"That too." She smiled. "But putting those aside, I've called you here to give you something."

Angelina snapped her fingers and suddenly, there was a bright glow. Cale had to squint his eyes from the light.

When he slowly fluttered his eyes open, letting them adjust, he could finally see it.

A red fruit floating in the air.

Then it slowly and gently landed in Cale's open palm.

[You have obtained a 'Star Relic Fruit'.]

"... You... actually got it," he murmured as he looked down upon the relic.

Angelina shrugged. "There was a little issue when I did the deal with Metatron, but I managed to work past it."

Cale nodded, putting the item into his spatial pocket bag.

"... So...?" The god urged.

He frowned in confusion. "What?"

"Aren't you gonna say those sweet two words after someone got you something?"

"I don't like thanking gods," he immediately replied.

Angelina huffed, her lips quivering into a small pout. "Hey, come on. I even had to sacrifice something equal to that relic...! And it's not small."

Cale didn't want to thank any gods, especially knowing they were divine beings with the capabilities to do anything they want. God of Death never even begged for words of gratitude from him. But then again, she did something that benefit him, and he would always teach the children to thank someone after getting something.

"Thanks," he said shortly.

Just as he was about to ask the god to teleport him away, there was a ding of notification that came from another room.

"Oh! Would you look at that? The fight for the throne already began," Angelina said, looking back at the hallway where she would usually watch the star stream.

'Han Sooyoung works fast,' Cale mentally remarked.

"Send me back."

Angelina nodded to his blunt words, and with a flick of a finger, Cale's figure faded away with a dim light.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in Seoul, surrounded by city ruins.

Cale called for the blue window.

[Would you like to transfer 10.000 coins to 'Han Sooyoung'?]

He pressed confirm.

For a brief moment, he took in his empty surroundings with his reddish-brown eyes and sighed. Then he removed the white mask from his face. The white robe he was wearing gradually transformed into a rusty brown robe and his crimson hair turned black from the tip to its root. The reddish in his eyes also disappeared.

It was time to head to Gwanghwamun. He promised a certain sacrificial reader, after all.

• • •

+

[King's Qualification]

1. 「 The owner of the throne should be braver than anyone else. 」

- The Absolute Throne never wants a 'weak king.' To challenge the throne, you must own at least a black flag.

2. 「 He who dreams of the throne must desire it. 」

- The number of 'kings' that can challenge the throne is decided. In order to gain the right to challenge it, you must remove the other kings around you.

3. 「 A single king stands alone without any help. 」

- The king who can challenge the throne must be able to prove his strength was just his body.

+

[Number of kings remaining: 5.]

[The 'Last King's Qualification' has begun.]

The bodies of the remaining kings, including Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk, started to be forcibly moved through space.

Before they knew it, they were inside a barrier the size of a schoolyard. The center contained the Absolute Throne, the last reward of this scenario.

Kim Dokja scanned the other kings, but aside from Yoo Joonghyuk, they looked battered up. Min Jiwon who he, Namwoon, and Bori had fought, seemed to be confused and disoriented after being released from the mind control.

The situation was strangely looking good on his part.

[The constellation, 'Maritime War God' is calmly watching the situation.]

[The constellation, 'Bald General of Justice' is cheering for the upper-grade constellations.]

[The constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is laughing.]

[The constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' scoffs at the upper-grade constellations.]

The constellations had opposite reactions, unlike other times. It was because the constellations had different ranks.

The gap between upper grade and narrative grade was like the difference between a child and an adult.

However, Kim Dokja couldn't help but think. Three particular constellations popped into his mind.

[The constellation, 'Sovereign of Eternal Rest' weeps and looks for his child because he misses him.]

[The constellation, 'Everlasting Shelter of Bloodshed' warns constellation 'Sovereign of Eternal Rest' to not make any weird claims if he doesn't want to die.]

[The constellation, 'Benevolent Light of Judgement' greets and says his child is coming soon.]

Those three.

The three constellations that were said to be... upper gods? They definitely did not look like upper constellations.

At first, he thought they were on the same level as the myth constellations, but then again, there was no reason for myth constellations to pay attention to the star stream. They think of this as child's play and would rather waste their time doing something else.

So... who are these three that were never mentioned in 'Ways of Survival'?

It almost seemed like they were variables. Something that wasn't supposed to exist, but became important enough to be remembered in the story.

Just like Cale.

'... Speaking about that bastard, where is he-'

"KIM DOKJA!"

Dokja whipped his head to see a familiar black-haired man who was shouting in his direction with a wide grin.

"화이팅!!!"

[From now on, all kings can't receive the support of their sponsor.]

[From now on, the attack and defense of all items will be limited.]

[From now on, all skills, stigmas, and special item options will be sealed.]

[From now on, the total stats of all kings will change to 10/10/10/10/10.]

[The Last King's Qualification will continue until one person is left.]

Kim Dokja couldn't help but laugh.

Thank god Cale wasn't actually wearing a cheerleader costume or he would've lost both - his mind and the battle.

• • •

Cale calmly watched the battle outside of the barrier with his arms folded. It just started but a king was instantly eliminated by Yoo Joonghyuk.

Suddenly, a blue window popped up in his vision.

[The constellation, 'Sovereign of Eternal Rest' cries out to his child.]

He immediately frowned and looked away.

[The constellation, 'Benevolent Light of Judgement' greets you happily.]

[The constellation, 'Everlasting Shelter of Bloodshed' says it is wonderful seeing you again.]

At least the other two weren't so dramatic.

"HYUNG!"

The man was startled when he heard the yell as a pair of arms latched onto him, followed by another cry.

"AHJUSSI!"

Another pair of arms were tightly wrapped around him. Then there was another shout.

"OPPA!"

Another person joined in the group hug.

Kim Namwoon and Na Bori deadpanned as they stared blankly at Lee Jihye.

"... What?" The girl said innocently.

She was only met with silence and raised eyebrows.

"H-Hey, what?! Do you want to gatekeep Cale oppa or something?! I can hug him if I want to, ya know!"

Cale let out a soft breath that almost sounded like a laugh as his hands instinctively patted their heads. The teens slowly stepped away and he couldn't help but ask, "Where's Donghoon-ah?"

Namwoon shrugged and replied, "He said he'll be here soon."

"I'm here."

"GYAH!" Kim Namwoon shrieked in an oddly high-pitched voice and latched onto Lee Jihye, to which the girl returned the blank stare that he had previously given to her.

Namwoon slowly retracted his arms, clearing his throat awkwardly to keep his cool, and immediately scolded Donghoon with an embarrassed blush. "Don't fuckin' creep up on people like that! Geez!"

"Sorry," Han Donghoon quickly said, not sounding apologetic. He managed to quickly made his way through the city and avoid any problems by using the stigma that hid his presence.

He turned towards Cale with a serious look on his face, a very rare sight. "Cale hyung, where were you?"

Cale scrunched up his brows slightly. "Huh?"

"Oh, yeah!" Namwoon looked at Cale with a frown and folded arms. "Hyung, where were you?"

"... Seoul?"

Cale was obviously lying, and Han Donghoon naturally didn't believe him at all. The tracker would show his location if he was anywhere in any part of Korea, but he wasn't. However, Donghoon knew better than to push. He knew this hyung wasn't going to be honest, no matter what the teen tries to say.

Donghoon opened his mouth, and Cale was holding his breath before exhaling in relief the moment a certain dragon flew and crashed into his face.

"KYAAANG~!"

'Ow. Shit. My nose.'

"Okay, calm down," he said, pulling Igneel off of his face and holding the small dragon in his arms. Cale looked down upon it and asked calmly, "Have you eaten?" Then he lifted his face to look at the others. "Have any of you eaten?"

"Yep! Joonghyuk ahjussi made something when we were taking over the stations!" Bori replied cheerfully.

It felt like a gut punch.

Again, he really missed Joonghyuk's cooking.

"Me and Igneel already ate back at the base as well," Donghoon informed with a small nod.

"Have you eaten, hyung?" Namwoon asked back.

"I-"

Before Cale could answer, they heard a loud noise, and all of them simultaneously looked toward the barrier, only to see Yoo Joonghyuk knocked out with his eyes still open and glaring at Kim Dokja.

[Supreme King Yoo Jonghyuk is out of combat.]

[The Ugliest King has passed all the tests of the Absolute Throne.]

'... Oh. That was quick.'

---

a/n: there. i updated. are u guys happy >:(