Basen's life was short, and very boring.

Before being brought into the Henituse family, Basen had always lived with his mother Violan, not knowing anything about his father.

Later, when Violan remarried (?) to Deruth, Basen gradually learned what it was like to have a father.

But that was only a small and faint time, because then Lily was born.

All their attention was directed towards Lily.

And Basen, the son without Henituse blood, was of course shunned by everyone.

During that time, Basen was always playing with the friendly insects that came to his side, despite the chatter of the servants.

It would be strange that no one would say anything if Basen even played with some poisonous spider, but no one cared anyway.

Except for a red-haired hyung.

Basen was always flustered whenever Cale Henituse, the legitimate heir to the family, saw Basen playing with some kind of poisonous insect, and ran to pull Basen away with a pale face.

Of course, there were also times when Cale even wanted to use his body to protect Basen from "dangerous poisonous insects that want to harm his dongsaeng".

At those times, Basen could only reluctantly ask his insect friends to leave, only to receive Cale's scoldings about getting himself in danger.

At those moments, a warm feeling spread in Basen's heart.

Basen had been keeping an eye on Cale ever since, next to Violan and Lily.

Even though Cale suddenly got worse, and Basen suddenly received a lot of (too) attention, he didn't give up.

(Habit is always stored, until in the very distant future, he still retains that habit.

That's really beneficial in catching a Hyung who likes to run away "sacrificing himself".)

------------------------------------------------------------

Basen was used to being ignored all the time, used to people only intentionally looking for him when there was a purpose.

Basen was also used to standing on the sidelines, watching his family transform.

(And honestly, Deruth wasn't really a good father, forgetful and cowardly—)

A faint, always possessive dream inside Basen.

Protect this family, at all costs.

Even if that means ordering his insect friends to kill those who dare offend his family (especially Cale).

Even if that means enduring the position of heir no matter how much he doesn't want to.

Even if it meant driving away the bastard who dared to hit Cale, and sending poisonous insects to assassinate him.

(Of course, it's all handled by the assassin old housekeeper and the chef's son, and the black-haired "hero" isn't useless either.

Basen didn't know if they realized all the insects were from him, or if they told the "hero" that.

After all, they were the ones who taught him immunity to poison, "in case" he was bitten by his poisonous insect friend.)

That dream was forced to end, when the Plaza attack occurred.

Before he died, Basen looked at Eric who was frantically telling him not to "sleep", smiling comfortingly at the bastard who had always fought for Hyung with him.

Basen's only regret was not being able to protect his family from the war that was certain to happen in the future.

Before he closed his eyes, Basen noticed a dark figure speeding towards them, then thought.

Oh, that's that hateful hero.

Basen's mind automatically thought of his red-haired hyung who still hadn't woken up.

Hope he wakes up.

At the very least, Basen's insect friends will protect him and his family for a while.

————————————————————————————

Lee Gilyong was born, with a faint sense of past life.

His current life is full of miracles, with light bulbs, televisions,...convenience items that his previous life didn't have.

And what drew Gilyong's attention the most, was undoubtedly the books outside the house.

They even have books on insects! And creatures called dinosaurs!

Gilyong happily engrossed in those books inside the small library near his house, sometimes even falling asleep inside, not caring if his parents were looking for him or not.

Thankfully, most of the time no one notices Gilyong, unless Gilyong makes some noise loud enough.

That made it easier for Gilyong to sleep in the library, with some of his firefly friends with him.

(If Gilyong hadn't cried loudly as a baby, no one would have thought of feeding him.

When he is old enough, Gilyong will find food in the refrigerator on his own, or forage for himself with the help of insects.

Fortunately Gilyong still has enough knowledge about what is edible and what is not, after all, not all insect foods are suitable for humans.)

For some reason, when he realized that there were no baby items in the house (except for a bottle, crib and diaper), Gilyong wasn't surprised at all.

Because Gilyong's existence was an undesirable one, for his parents in this life.

------------------------------------------------------------

Gilyong's life in this life isn't perfect either, and it's more dull (suffering) than his previous life.

There were always quarrels in the house, and after those quarrels, Gilyong was always their victim.

"Father" would always scold Gilyong, "mother" would pinch Gilyong's skin, leaving red marks deep in the skin.

Let's not talk about being forgotten and having to find food for ourselves.

(Gilyong bets that if he was kidnapped, his parents might even rarely make a celebration party because of the relief of a burden.

Well, after a few days because they didn't realize he was missing.)

A life that sounds mildly bleak, if turned to a normal child, perhaps this is some kind of childhood trauma.

Of course, Gilyong didn't care about that.

But Gilyong also knew, if he let them discover his interest in insects, they would surely do some kind of real childhood trauma to Gilyong.

So at the age of four, when he could be outside the house freely, away from the noisy argument going on inside, Gilyong always went to the tall grass, making friends with the insect friends he had found, but never brought them back.

(Because Gilyong's "parents" certainly wouldn't approve of them, they would either kick Gilyong out of the house or kill all those insect friends.)

Gilyong will also roam many places such as the library, not far from home of course.

Gilyong will also secretly collect old or discarded items from the neighborhood children during that time, because his parents certainly have no knowledge of entertaining children, other than sending him to school because it is required by the state.

(Thank goodness they remembered to buy a briefcase and books, otherwise Gilyong had to go ask for a loan at a used bookstore.)

Gilyong's biggest income is the insect box, which helps Gilyong keep food for his insect friends.

There's no need to have a catch net, because Gilyong has long been able to attract insects.

Thinking that life would continue, until Gilyong was old enough to be independent, earn money, leave that family—

Then at about 10 (11?) years old, Gilyong went home, holding a grasshopper cage that Gilyong decided to release in the backyard of the house.

Then saw the house burned.

------------------------------------------------------------

During the funeral, Gilyong hugged his grasshopper cage, listening to everyone's whispers.

"That child didn't cry? Wasn't that child's parents dead?"

"Why is that kid holding a grasshopper cage?"

"It seems that the child escaped from the fire because he was late to catch grasshoppers outside."

"Eh? That's lucky!"

"But that kid didn't even shed a tear...."

"How cold-blooded indeed."

"For catching grasshoppers and not going home, it's really an unfilial child."

...

Is this how Hyung-nim felt when the first countess died?

This sentence suddenly appeared in Gilyong's mind, then disappeared without a trace.

Lifeless eyes looked at those fake people, mourning for two people they didn't know.

Oh, if they knew.

And by the time a strange woman called his aunt put on a fake smile with those greedy eyes, Gilyong knew his future.

Perhaps, the plan to be free to be alone is not far away.

------------------------------------------------------------

After spending a few days with his aunt enough to let her take all of his family's fortune, Gilyong knew the time had come.

"Gilyong, I'll take you out today, okay?"

Gilyong hugged his grasshopper cage, walking towards the woman.

The fact that the woman didn't even think about making Gilyong leave the cage at home confirmed his thoughts.

Orphanage, here I come.

Gilyong thought absentmindedly, sitting on the subway will lead him to his future place of life.

Then the subway stopped.

And Gilyong's life completely changes, in a direction that Gilyong did not expect.

------------------------------------------------------------

When a white cotton candy-like creature appeared, Gilyong couldn't help but stare at it.

That fur looks so soft.

Like the fur of the two kittens that Hyung-nim adopted, before completely losing consciousness because of that "hero".

Then that creature (Dokkaebi) began to speak.

Then red appears.

It was so similar, a presentation, explosions, bodies everywhere, screams—

Gilyong's eyes could only stare at the event that was happening, silent and trembling because oh my god, it was so similar, the event that caused him to die—

【 The main scenario has arrived! 】

A blue window appeared, appearing in front of Gilyong, drawing his mind back to reality.

【 Clear conditions: Kill one or more creatures. 】

Gilyong's eyes turned towards the insect cage upon seeing the condition.

Oh.

He can survive.

And suddenly, Gilyong's breathing eased.

------------------------------------------------------------

Gilyong watched the chaos unfold, not paying much attention.

Because in this world, he had no one to care about.

Because Gilyong will surely survive, even if it's the end of the world.

(If someone wanted to kill him, well, Gilyong would happily take a life other than an insect instead.)

"T-There is a murder back there!"

Ah, of course, before that Gilyong had to fake his own death, so as not to go with the psycho killers.

Gilyong's mind was even more steadfast when a white-haired teenager appeared, beating the elderly woman.

And Gilyong's stupid aunt joined in.

If his aunt were still alive, Gilyong would definitely do whatever it takes to not go with her.

Maybe Gilyong will become like them later, but right now, he doesn't want to be with the psychopaths in here.

Perhaps with that kind giant hyung, Gilyong might be able to interact peacefully with him in the distant future—

Then an explosion appeared on the side of the carriage, the train shook, Gilyong fell towards the old woman.

"Sorry, can I borrow it for a bit?"

A pair of hands removed the insect net from Gilyong's lap, and a grasshopper was placed in his hand.

Gilyong raised his head.

Why is that person's face blurry?

------------------------------------------------------------

Well, maybe he doesn't need to fake his death.

Gilyong stared at the scenery outside, at the giant sea snake-like monsters.

He wondered, could they turn into humans like the beast tribes?

Oh, they're headed towards them.

The screams resounded again, Gilyong also "screamed" in a low voice, his eyes turned to the only person who didn't scream.

That strange ahjushi remained calm.

Like....he knew those monsters wouldn't attack.

Gilyong watched that Ahjushi look down at the white-haired teen's corpse, raised his head for a moment, then picked up the boy's knife from the floor.

Gilyong looked at that Ahjushi talking to the light brown haired girl who seemed to be his acquaintance.

And that fluffy white creature appeared again.

------------------------------------------------------------

[Wow, amazing.]

[What on earth happened here? I was just watching the other carriages...]

Oh, there are little stars twinkling above it.

How lovely.

.

.

.

Forget the nonsense he just thought.

Gilyong shook his head, almost ignoring the cotton white creature's next sentence.

The list of survivors quickly caught Gilyong's attention.

【 Survivors from the 3434 Train to Bulgwang, Carriage 3807:

Kim Dokja, Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Sangah, Han Myungoh and Lee Gilyoung (Basen Henituse).

A total of five survivors. 】

Hmm?

Weird, apparently, he just saw a word next to his name, didn't he?

Gilyong blinked, looking back at the blue window.

All the names are still there, nothing is redundant.

Looking at everyone again, no one seemed to see the same thing as him.

....He must have been dizzy.

Ah, that Ahjushi looked over here again.

Gilyong's eyes drooped, pretending to be looking at the ground.

It was convenient when the body next to him was the body of his "aunt".

"Kid."

....He was caught faking?

------------------------------------------------------------

Kim Dokja looked at the boy who was staring blankly at the headless corpse beside him.

The boy was looking at his mother, who lost her head.

The boy was looking at the body of the mother who abandoned the boy and participated in the murder of the grandmother.

The boy had just watched the whole thing from beginning to end.

A strange feeling inside Kim Dokja urged him to move towards the child.

It wasn't foolish sympathy.

To put it simple, this was...

That's right, "Hypocrisy".

(KimCom 100% certainly won't believe this.

KimCom: Yeah, sure, if it doesn't sound like convincing yourself, we'll believe it.)

"Kid."

Kim Dokja called out to the boy, watching the boy slowly turn his head to look at him.

Kim Dokja could see the fear of death in the boy's eyes.

(Hidden curiosity and other emotions, Kim Dokja couldn't see, believing it was just an ordinary child.)

This little boy wasn't sad when his mother died, just scared.

Fear of his own death.

Can't blame the boy, because that's natural.

After all, the boy is also human.

(If Kim Dokja knew about Gilyoung thought of playing dead at the beginning of the scenario, would he think differently?)

"Do you want to live?"

------------------------------------------------------------

"Do you want to live?"

Oh?

Ahjushi...want him to follow him?

Blinking, Gilyong looked closely at Ahjushi in front of him.

His face was still obscured, preventing him from seeing his face.

A strange existence in this world.

Like him?

Gilyong's eyes trembled, an unfamiliar yet familiar feeling made his body tremble.

Finally, Gilyong nodded, carefully and slowly.

"Then let's go together."

And the answer was the one Gilyong wanted to hear.

Then, Gilyong looked at Ahjusshi's face that seemed clearer after that, and suddenly thought.

Maybe, he shouldn't call Ahjushi Ahjushi.

Hyung (-nim) would be more appropriate.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Do it comfortably. Think of it as an aptitude test."

Gilyong's eyes from the two adults beside the chat moved back to the screen.

【Sponsor Selection:

-Please select your sponsor.

-Your chosen sponsor will be your strong supporter.

1. Lord of the Abyss. 】

Gilyong's eyes flicked over the only option in the screen.

Apparently, for a "lucky" kid to survive in the subway, very few constellations would be interested in him.

〖 The constellation《 Lord of the Abyss 》is looking at you. 〗

Abyss...

It's strange...that suits him.

A small smile appeared on that child's face, eyes filled with the same emotion as seeing something interesting in front of him.

That face was completely unlike the shy child Kim Dokja saw.

------------------------------------------------------------

〖 Constellation《 Lord of the Abyss 》satisfied with his precious incarnation.〗

【 You have been sponsored 100.000 coins! 】

〖 Constellation《 Lord of the Abyss 》blessed his incarnation to survive until the next selection.〗

〖 Constellation《 Lord of the Abyss 》falls into a deep sleep.〗

〖 Some interactive curious constellations of this strange "Sponsor - Incarnation".〗

Gilyong looked at the messages in front of him, his eyes softening.

Will the normal sponsor just give some money and then leave the incarnation alone to survive?

Gilyong doesn't know, but he is satisfied with his Constellation.

After all, Gilyong was used to being ignored, unnoticed.

At least, his Constellation knows how to give him money, and also bless him for his survival.

(It also says Gilyong is "precious", creating a strange feeling in Gilyong's heart.)

Or maybe, his constellation is just shy?

Like his beloved Hyung-nim, who, out of fear of trouble, pushed the inheritance to him, but always gave him money under the pretext of pocket money when he found out that his father didn't give him money.

Like his Hyung-nim, who is always drunk and sleeps whenever Basen sees him, but also hugs Basen when no one is around, blaming his drunkenness despite the fact that he's a person who isn't get drunk easily.

Yes, Gilyong is satisfied with this Constellation.

【 Sponsor Selection has ended. 】

------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello, I am Lee Hyunsung."

"Kim Dokja."

Gilyong's mind turned to the names of the two people he sympathized with the most in the carriage.

Dokja?

It sounds like..."Reader".

Is that the reason why....?

Gilyong remembers stories about the main character traveling through another world.

Dokja-hyung's name seems fitting as a protagonist in that genre.

Speaking of which, Gilyong seems to have read something about the end of the world, during his few days living in his aunt's house.

Don't blame Gilyong, she should pay attention to see if anyone is around when entering the computer password, even if it's just a small bug.

Gilyong didn't pay attention to the controversy going on in front of him between some stupid old man and the smart Hyung, in his mind he remembered the apocalyptic book he had only read in the first few chapters.

Looks like it's called 《 SSSSS grade Infinite Regressor 》?

No, it's a plagiarism book, if true to the words of the reader who always accuses the writer of the story.

Come to think of it, that reader account name was—

"This is reality."

The words brought Gilyong back to his senses.

Oh that's right.

This is reality.

Gilyong shouldn't be thinking about those internet novels anymore.

But why does reality in the world he lives in always have problems?

------------------------------------------------------------

At the time of being carried on Lee Hyunsung's back, Gilyong was attracted by the feeling of "lying" on the back that was too wide, too warm, and had the soft and comfortable firmness of this giant bear in human form.

Honestly, if they weren't in the end of the world, Gilyong was tempted to sleep on Lee Hyunsung's back.

Of course, that feeling was dropped after discovering that the bridge had collapsed, and Kim Dokja was not present.

Gilyong clung to the yellow wall, almost being able to see the situation opposite.

Too far, too dim, but Gilyong knew, the situation over there was not good at all.

There were no insects nearby, so Gilyong couldn't use them to know the situation on the other side.

Gilyong waited, waited for Hyung to pass.

Because for Gilyong, Hyung won't die so easily.

But that stupid ahjusshi carried Hyung's friend over, and Gilyong heard about the even bridge from that friend.

When he saw a blurry figure approaching them, and threw a body off the bridge, Gilyong prayed it was his Hyung carrying a Zombie across the bridge.

But instead, there was a man, reminiscent of someone who made Gilyong feel uncomfortable.

Why did that bastard beat Hyung-nim to death!?

Both of them are wrong, but hitting Hyung-nim to death is even more wrong!!!

Basen will always hate that man in black, even if he turns into a hero in the eyes of others.

Basen never knew if Hyung-nim would wake up, because he was—

"Um, may I ask, where is Dokja-ssi?"

That bastard, looking over that yellow fence, at the place where he dropped the body, answered.

"That guy is still alive, maybe 3-4 days later you will meet again."

Gilyong's eyes widened when he realized, the body, no, who that guy threw over the bridge.

Hyung!!!

Those cold eyes swept over him, and Gilyong made up his mind.

He absolutely hated this person.

He would definitely kill this bastard, one day.

(It wasn't Gilyong's fault that Yoo Joonghyuk was later attacked by insect-type or poisonous monsters, certainly not.)

------------------------------------------------------------

It's been 3 days.

It's been 3 days since Hyung "disappeared".

The one in black, Yoo Joonghyuk also started to lose patience.

Gilyong took the sweets that Yoo Joonghyuk had given him and ate while looking at the figure standing in the direction of the bridge.

Gilyong didn't understand why when that guy in black brought food back to the basement, he always gave Gilyong a separate small bag.

Because of this, everyone inside the residence dared not touch their group, thinking they were related to him.

And for that reason, Gilyong was also getting more attention than usual than he expected.

Originally intended to hide under the existence of the two adults in the group and gradually invisible Gilyong sighed.

A large hand touched his head, rubbing it gently.

"Ahjushi, will Hyung really survive?"

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes twitched when he heard the vocative "Ahjusshi" that Gilyong gave him, and patted his head harder in revenge.

"I don't know."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't know why he was paying attention to this child, a new existence that Kim Dokja had "saved".

Maybe it was because that kid reminded him of Mia?

Seeing Gilyong grimacing to endure being patted on the head, Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't help but pinch Gilyong's cheek.

"...Ahjushi, you really don't have a strange hobby?"

"No, it's because you remind me of my sister."

Gilyong's offended expression made Yoo Joonghyuk's mood even better, the feeling of frustration and impatience at Kim Dokja's absence softened.

"Kid, I'm leaving."

"Ahjushi isn't going to keep waiting for Hyung?"

Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head.

"....I got it."

"Are you going to come with me?"

"No, I'll stay and wait for Hyung."

"Haizz...6 days later, if you don't come, I'll come pick you up."

Another pat on the head, and Gilyong blinked in surprise when he heard that 600 coins had been transferred to him.

"Try to survive until then."

"...Good, Ahjushi."

"...Aren't you really going to change your vocative a bit, I'm younger than your Hyung."

"Good, Bastard Hyung."

"...Change to another vocative."

"Good, Sunfish Hyung."

Yoo Joonghyuk:...

Gilyong looked at Yoo Joonghyuk's face turned speechless, delighted with this small revenge.

Maybe he didn't need to kill that man.

But is it okay to train (assass) him?

Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly felt a chill down his spine, looked around warily, but there was no danger nearby.

(On the sidelines, Choi Han TBOAH offers deep sympathy to the man about to share his fate.)

------------------------------------------------------------

"You're alive."

It's good, Hyung is still alive.

Gilyong happily hugged Kim Dokja, then frowned.

Hyung...so skinny.

Gilyong felt Kim Dokja pat his head, then a chocolate bar was brought out.

Gilyong happily accepted the chocolate, finding it much tastier than the chocolate Sunfish Hyung gave him.

"Gilyong, what is this sack of food?"

Kim Dokja noticed the food sack attached to Gilyong's side, raising a question.

"Sunfish Hyung gave it to me, do you need it?"

Kim Dokja's eyes widened with a familiar nickname.

"Are you talking about...Yoo Joonghyuk?"

"Yes, Hyung knows about Sunfish Hyung, right?"

"Why do you call Joonghyuk Sunfish?"

"On the bridge, before Hyung was thrown down to feed the sea snakes by that basta-, I heard the word 'Sunfish', so I think that's the nickname for that basta-."

Kim Dokja:....

Was he imagining it, or did Gilyong almost call Yoo Joonghyuk a "bastard"?

....Must be imaginary, right?