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asteriass · 7 days

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Ikémen Villains: Surprise Bag Prologue (April Fools Day Story)

Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do NOT post my translations elsewhere. Note: This is the prologue of a story yet that is not yet available. The story set will most likely not be purchased, but this was too funny not to translate the prologue at least.

I think I've developed a tolerance for the extraordinary since I became a fairy tale keeper.

However, there are things that happen in Crown that easily surpass even my experience level.

Jude: Good morning, Kate. I'll make you happy today.

Kate: Jude, did you hit your head?

Jude: What? I haven't been hit anywhere. I'm fine.

Kate: What happened to your usual prickly attitude? A cold? An Injury? Let’s go to the hospital anyway!

Ellis: Damn, what the hell is going on here?

Jude: Oh, Jude.

Jude: Huh? Why is Jude me?

Ellis: That's my line. Why did you become me?

Kate: Uh, what?

Elbert: Ah, well! That was very amusing, wasn't it?

Kate: Al….. eh, Elbert?

Kate: Then you don't mean to say that Alfons in the back...

Alfons: I looked in the mirror and saw Al.

Elbert: It's interesting to look at yourself objectively in this way.

Elbert: Oh, Elle. Please speak with more energy, because it’s creepy to me.

Alfons: More….energy?

Alfons: Aha……!

Elbert: I was wrong to ask you to cheer me up.

Kate: Maybe, maybe not.

Kate: Jude and Ellis have switched places, and Elbert with Alphonse!

Kate: How did you get into such a weird situation?

Ellis: It was probably caused by that quack doctor.

When the entire Crown gathered to pursue the matter with Mr. Roger, he laughed teasingly.

Roger: Sorry, sorry. I didn't realize the effect would be so great. Aren’t I a genius?

Victor: Roger, this isn’t good! How could something so cute...be such a big deal?

Liam: Victor, your thoughts are leaking out and your words don't match your expression.

Roger: I've been researching whether the curse can be passed on by replacing a cursed person with a normal person.

William: Your insatiable inquisitive spirit is astounding. But then shouldn't we experiment with humans and cursed people?

Roger: It would be dangerous if something happened to them other than the cursed ones. We need to experiment with these guys first.

Harrison: What do you think we are? We die normally too.

Elbert: It's time to sink these muscular glasses into the Thames.

Ellis: That's right. If we put a weight on it and dump it in the water, that's the end of it.

Kate: Hey, please stop saying such disturbing things with Elbert’s and Ellis’ faces!”

Jude: But Roger is amazing, isn't he? He can make such an amazing medicine.

Liam: Jude is being so fluffy. No, it's confusing!

Roger: Don't worry. If you let me take your data, I'll make you a proper antidote.

Roger: If I make an antidote, I can try it on someone else later, I guess…..

Harrison: Did you just say something disturbing?

Roger: No?

Elbert: I mean, how can I negotiate with you? I'm too speechless, please die.

Harrison: Wow, eh…….Liam? Hey. Are you sleeping?

Jude: Sorry, it’s my fault for poking him on the forehead. I was just wondering if I could use Jude's ability.

Roger: Oh, so you've inherited the ability too? Aren’t I a genius after all?

(It’s getting hard to keep up!)

Kate: And, in the meantime, please give them the antidote, Roger!

Kate: I can only imagine what would happen if Her Majesty were to hear about this.

Roger: You’re right. I might be fired.

Roger: So, keep an eye on them to make sure they don't snitch on me, little lady.

Kate: Huh, Roger? Wait!

Ellis: Tch……good for nothing. Get carelessly fired.

Jude: Oh, Jude. No smoking in my body.

Ellis: *Cough*…first of all. Ellis, you should at least smoke one of those cigarettes and train yourself.

Elbert: Don't you think this face would make up for any wrongdoing?

Alfons: Kate, is this spoon beautiful?

Kate: Oh, I think I'm going crazy..!

I hope this is a bad lie on April 1st. But the scene in front of me tells me it is true.

At this time I still do not know. That more comedy awaits us in the future. To be continued…..if you purchase the story set once available.

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asteriass · 11 days

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A Guide to Ikemen Villains' Deep Love Events

a.k.a. Birthday Party Events

This guide was made for Ikemen Villains and can be found on their official X/Twitter page. Ikemen Villains will be using the same birthday party system as Ikemen Prince; so if you already play that game and have experienced party events, you may scroll past this.

For simplicity's sake, I will be shortening "Deep Love" into DL in this guide.

What is DL Event?

During the event, you can accumulate DL points and increase your DL level to earn various rewards such as stories and avatar items.

DL Escorts

DL Escorts will give you the DL points you need to increase your DL level.

These escorts make use a stamina pool that is separate from the standard ones (for intimacy & LP), known as "AP". AP replenishes at 1AP/3 minutes.

You can make use of diamonds and scones to replenish your AP.

Stamind cocktails cannot be used to replenish AP.

Using The Right Cards

When participating in DL escorts, you will earn more DL points by using the cards of the featured character (e.g. William in his own birthday event).

Using cards of other characters (e.g. Alfons in William's event) will result in the amount of DL points received to be reduced to only 1/10 of the originally obtainable points.

The more cards you have of that suitor in your escort card deck, the more DL points you'll get!

New Consumable Items

1. Scones

Scones can be used to replenish the AP required for DL escorts. By tapping into the event page, you may receive 1 item in the morning and 1 at noon. Be sure to log into the event page twice a day during the DL event!

2. FV Timepiece

FV timepieces are meant for triggering a Fever (FV) Time to earn double DL points from DL escorts. You will receive 3 of this item upon completion of the event tutorial.

You may use these items to trigger FV Time at your preferred timing.

3. Milk Tea

This item directly increases your DL points, just like lipsticks in story events. Recommended when you wish to quickly obtain rewards.

Of course, scones and milk tea will also be available for purchase. Please practice financial literacy and spend responsibly.

Fever (FV) Time

There will be a FV Time with triple points at the start of the event!

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asteriass · 19 days

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Victor 1st Birthday Campaign: Story (2024)

His POV

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

❥･• Warnings and FAQ

The darkness of the night was my friend, and death was myself.

Today too, I walked, and walked, and walked in the darkness.

Then, I suddenly turned around.

Look, over there – a bloodied, blissful look of death.

…

Kate: Victor, Harrison lent me a book recently, so…

I did my own work, while Kate did the work she had as the fairytale writer.

Working in the same office together and listening to her stories gradually became a part of my everyday life.

(... She looks happy. She’s become a true member of Crown now.)

Kate: Right, about the matter regarding the maid Marianne that I discussed with you a few days back—

Victor: Ah, give her a few days off work. Meeting up with a long-distance lover is a very important occasion.

When I told her that I had already settled the matter we were in the midst of discussing, she blinked in surprise.

Kate: Victor… at approximately what time do you usually go to sleep?

Victor: Usually?

Kate: I understand that you have a heavy workload, and that’s something I can never deal with.

Kate: But whenever I approach you for something I want to discuss, you immediately resolve the matter on your own…

Victor: Ehh~~ are you perhaps praising me? Goodness, I’m overjoyed!

Victor: But unfortunately, I need to sleep as well. I’m a human being, after all. I only have so much time in a day.

Victor: Which means, the matters you bring up to me are of extremely high priority compared to the other things I have on hand.

Kate: … Thank you, Victor.

Victor: I thank you too, for caring about the other staff working here.*

*Victor actually referred to them as “kids”

Kate: Also… you can forget that I said anything if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, but…

Victor: … Hm?

Kate: Do you have something that’s been bothering you lately, Victor?

Kate: Things that make you unhappy…

(This girl is very observant and sharp.)

Those sincere eyes of hers deserve a sincere reply.

Victor: I have a mission with William tonight, and it’s not one that puts me in a good mood.

I was made aware of the existence of an organisation hat made Her Majesty the symbol of their beliefs — in other words, they worship her like a god.

(People are entitled to their religious beliefs, and Crown has no rights to interfere on that, however…)

There was word that the organisation abducted women and imprisoned them to be worshipped, and those who held no physical resemblance to Her Majesty were killed.

Victor: Tonight, we will investigate the organisation and punish them if found guilty.

Kate: … To think they’d kill people over their religious beliefs.

Victor: Kate, because this mission might make you uncomfortable—

Not giving me a chance to finish my sentence, she responded with a stern look.

Kate: Victor, can you allow me to accompany you on this mission as the fairytale writer?

Out of respect for her wish, I accepted her request and we headed to the organisation’s base that night.

…

William: We found the belongings of the missing women, blood stains, and bodies. They have no way to defend themselves now.

Kate: Means to say… they’re guilty?

Tommy Yeager, aristocrat. Leah Rodríguez, congresswoman. Kevin Nicholson…

(This is a lot of important people.)

Out of greed for greater power, they worshipped the Queen and hoped that she would fulfil their wishes.

William: There are two possible venues for tonight’s ritual; one is the top floor of this mansion, and the other is the basement.

Victor: Kate and I will go down to the basement. We shall proceed immediately, in order to prevent any more sacrifices.

Kate: Okay…

William: Victor, how much “mercy” do you want to show tonight?

Victor: — No need for any. Their wrongdoings are deserving of condemnation. Give into your wickedness, Will.

Not wanting Kate to witness anything horrifying, I prayed that we weren’t headed for where our “prize” was.

…

(Ahh, turns out the basement is indeed where our “prize” is at.)

In the basement was what appeared to be an altar, candlelight flickering.

A group of people in masquerade surrounded the altar, laying at the centre was a young girl who looked of tender years.

(Is that the “substitute” for Her Majesty? … Utterly heinous.)

I noticed that one of the men was about to lower the candle in his hand onto the girl’s arm, and I reflexively took a step forward.

— But Kate beat me to it.

Kate: … STOP!

Masked Red-Haired Man: Wha– what’s with this woman!? Let go, get your hands off me…

Kate: Please let that girl go! Ahh…!

In that split second, Kate was shoved into the altar and instantly collapsed onto the ground.

Victor: Kate…? Kate…

(She’s alright, she’s still breathing. She only lost consciousness…)

— There was something on the ground next to her, it seemed that it fell out during her fall.

(Oh, this is…)

– Flashback Start –

Victor: Kate, you’ll be following Elbert and Roger on their mission tonight.

Kate: Okay. I’m still not used to this, I hope I won't get in their way.

Victor: I see. In that case, take this with you.

Kate: … A Cameo hair ornament?

Victor: May it keep you out of harm’s way.

Kate: Fufu, I feel safe knowing that you’re always on a lookout for me.

Kate: Thank you very much, Victor! I’ll be on my way.

– Flashback End –

(... This is the hair ornament I gifted you back when you first joined Crown.)

(You’ve been keeping it by your side like a protective charm…)

Kate lying unconscious on the ground, the girl on the altar, all the innocent women who died there—

Tonight, I had more than enough reason to show absolutely no mercy.

Masked Red-Haired Man: Pfft, haha. This is all because she disrupted our ritual!

Masked Black-Haired Man: … H-Hey. Hold on… this man is…

Masked Black-Haired Man: Isn’t this Sir Victor?

Masked Man with Freckles: I-It really is! How could the Queen’s right hand man show up in such a place!?

I took a good look at all of them, and my gaze focused on one person.

Victor: Was it you who pushed that girl?

Masked Red-Haired Man: Y-Yes… it was me, Sir Victor.

Staring at the man who scrambled up to me, I commanded.

(... It's time for death to come to you.)

Victor: In the name of … I command you. — Now, succumb to my wickedness.

In a trance, the man stared into space.

Masked Red-Haired Man: Ahh… somehow… I feel so happy… I… I…

The man wrapped his hands around his neck, immediately taking his own life.

Masked Black-Haired Man: Is he… dead? Why did he kill himself…?

I turned my gaze towards the alarmed and bewildered men.

Victor: … From right to left, say your names.

Masked Black-Haired Man: Tommy Yeager. … Ugh, gguhh…

I gave another death order.

Masked Man with Freckles: Leah Rodríguez. I- I… ahh!

And another.

All that was left was dead silence.

As though they had a blissful dream, the men died with peaceful expressions on their faces.

William: Is it over? Looks like there’s no chance for me to step into the spotlight.

Victor: Oh, Will. This is where the “prize” was.

William: They died with such peaceful faces, it’s almost as if they were possessed by a god.

(A god, huh.)

It was like saying that “Her Majesty The Queen” was no god.

Victor: … Humans can never become god.

William: Based on what you said, that will surely be the case.

With a calm smile, William picked up the girl on the altar.

William: You can entrust this girl to me. I’ll leave you to look after Kate.

William: Because it seems to me that your rage is heavily correlated to her.

…

Roger examined Kate upon our return to the castle, and he said that she would regain consciousness very soon.

I gently laid the unconscious Kate on her bed.

(Kate. … I’m so glad you’re safe.)

Looking at her face, I was reminded of the night we first met.

When I suggested that she become our fairytale writer, it was partially because I came up with that on the spot.

The other reason being… I anticipated the change she would bring to Crown.

Despite their differences, every member of Crown was a person of strong character.

It was precisely because of that, I believed that “change brought upon by others” was crucial.

Humans could only grow stronger in the presence of others.

(This change will guide those guys towards a more beautiful evil.)

And I would watch her from a distance — that was the original plan, at least.

(Unknowingly, you brought upon a change in me too.)

As William said earlier on, it was clear that seeing her hurt made me fly into a rage.

I felt alive, that was… a “human” emotion.

(Your presence has turned me from a spectator to a player.)

(However—)

I gently placed the Cameo hair ornament back into Kate’s hair.

(Regardless of how lovely you are, I will always remain by your side as “Victor, Aide to The Queen”.)

(No more, no less.)

Or else, my darkness, and death — would swallow her whole.

I gave her hair a gentlemanly kiss.

Victor: Consider this a bad dream and forget everything. Be it nightmares or death, I will never let them reach you.

Victor: … Good night, Kate.

…

The next day, Kate regained her consciousness and came to me at the speed of light to apologise.

Kate: I’m truly sorry, Victor. I was to blame for rushing out without thinking it through…

(You’d still blame yourself even if I tell you I didn't mind, won't you?)

(Ah, that's right. In that case…)

Victor: Would you like to have lunch with me, Kate?

…

Victor: I was about to have a lonely lunchtime today, I’m so glad you’re here.

Kate: Can I make it up to you for last night with this?

Victor: Of course. I find joy in having a delicious meal with another person’s company.

Kate: Fufu, that’s good to hear.

(That captivating smile of yours is finally back.)

— Suddenly, it started drizzling.

Victor: It’s a passing shower. Come here, Kate. Let’s take shelter at the gazebo over there.

Kate: A-Alright…

…

(... That was surprising. The rainfall in London can be so unpredictable.)

Victor: Kate, are you alright—

Before I could ask, Kate wiped my cheeks with her hands.

Kate: I’m alright. You, on the other hand…

Victor: … (surprised)

Despite being drenched herself, she was still more concerned about me. The hands touching me felt so warm, almost like a gentle shower falling from the clear sky.

There it was “again” — the change in my heart.

Kate: Ah, I almost forgot. Liam told me that he has something for you.

Kate: I’m very curious about why he said in a frustrated tone that he was “supposed to give it to you yesterday”.

(Ahh…)

Victor: It was my birthday yesterday.

Kate: … Wait.

Kate: WHAT!?

That was likely the most shocked I had ever seen her from the day we met, I couldn't contain my laughter.

(I never intended to tell you myself, because I know you’ll get unnecessarily worked up over it.)

Kate: I-I’m so sorry I didn’t prepare a present for you, I didn’t know it was your birthday…

Victor: Haha, it’s okay. I already received one from you.

Kate: …?

Victor: You spent the whole day with me yesterday.

Victor: Although I genuinely only wanted to respect your freedom of choice, perhaps I also had the childish wish for you to stay by my side on my birthday.

Victor: … Thank you, Kate.

She looked up at the clear sky with a smile.

Kate: … Hey, Victor. I want to become stronger.

Victor: Why so?

Kate: I know that you’ll always protect me from harm, but… being the weakling I am…

She mumbled “I know there are many things in this world that are better off being left unbeknownst to me” under her breath.

Then, she continued, saying “but if it's things related to you, I want to know all about them”. And—

Kate: When you’re having a hard time, I don't want to just laugh it off and pretend I don’t know.

I was captivated by the way she said those words with a smile.

Not only did she change Crown and I, even she went through beautiful changes with every blink of an eye.

(... This girl is like a storm in springtime.)

Would I someday be caught up in that storm — and tell her the truth?

(But now is not the time.)

Victor: Don’t move too fast towards becoming stronger, I’ll feel lonely being left behind.

(Stay like this just for a little bit longer.)

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asteriass · 26 days

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The progression of the “Villainess” trope

Y'know, thinking about it, it's very ironic how a trope made to subvert one's expectations & give more depth to 1 dimensional villains in cliche novels by "humanizing" them more & providing their side of the story, eventually became oversaturated with cartoony villains & flat MCs. Thus, completely failing in its goal to "subvert expectations" as it too turned into mind numbing cliche, becoming the exact opposite of what the troupe initially aimed to achieved.

I am talking about "Villainess" series.

I remember seeing a twitter post a while back saying how a lot of the villainess stuff the authors & studios are putting out nowadays lack any sort of nuance when it comes to its characters. And how a lot authors simply switch the roles of the cast (Like: OG MC -> villain | OG villain -> MC) & call it a day. And I 100% agree with that.

This troupe kinda ended up becoming the dictionary definition of the saying, "You either die as a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become a villain” lmao

What could've been an opportunity to write nuanced villains & morally ambiguous main characters, turned EXACTLY into the cliche it was pocking fun at.

In an attempt to reveal how the MCs of your typical cliche novels can also be in the wrong at times, flaws that the story & its (in-canon) fandom may purposefully ignore, the villainess stories ended up doing EXACT SAME thing EXECPT this time it's the "villains" doing it rather than the OG FL or OG ML of the “OG novel”. In an attempt to stop cliche villains from remaining cliche, while we did ended up getting slightly more nuance for the “OG villain” characters, in the process, the OG MCs turned exactly into those flat cliche villains.

Alot of villainess series poke fun at the troupes they themself use, but not in a satirical way.

So many villainess series poke fun at the OG novels for being problematic or stupid & the fandom of said novels basically ignoring its flaws & problems, only gushing over the OG FL. Which yea, is nice & all, but y'know... that's exactly what those villainess series do too. SO MANYY of them borderline have the FLs participating in literal slavery. & More often than not have a borderline colonizer ML. Not to mention the numerous which carry weird undertones of colorism, and many such other things. All the while, the fandom of these villainess series continue to ignore their glaring problems & flaws & instead just gush over the FL and ML.

And I'm not even saying this in a hating sort of way (well, aside from the series with issues of colorism, orientalism, etc). Moreover, this is all not to say that one can not enjoy such stories, because admittedly, there is indeed fun in just reading a simple and familiar story line. But this is all more me being intrigued by this trope’s almost ironic progression as companies rush their staff to produce something which they think will be able to ride the waves of the current trends, only for the vast majority to simply drown in a sea of mediocrity (with many even being canceled due to this)

[Though I mean, something as simple as villainess tropes won’t be the only one to go through this. Like a lot of Shakespearean works, a subversion of the classics & typical troupes back then, got turned into ones of those classics and by many are now considered cliche. And that's just scrapping the bottom of the barrel!]

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asteriass · 27 days

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Finally got to Penacony in Honkai Star Rail and Aventurine is deffo one of my top favs ^o^

And so, I decided to draw him~

Pose used:

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asteriass · 2 months

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Akane’s hair color

Every now and then I’ll remember that Akane is not a ginger but instead has brown hair… and I hear the sound of my heart cracking for no reason what so ever

In my defense: The anime made him a ginger…

In the anime’s defense: In artworks that have a super saturated color palette, Aida tends to (or at least used to) draw him with more of an orangey tint to his hair, so that’s probably what they were going by…

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asteriass · 2 months

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Series where food is used for symbolism relating to the story’s themes in addition to the characters LITERALLY eating weird stuff >>>>>>>> 💥❤️

[The two storyline’s are pretty different and the way they utilize food as a symbol is differing in terms of themes but in general I just like stories who do such (⌒▽⌒)]

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asteriass · 2 months

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Jinshi: Different types of beauty

Looking at the four designs of Jinshi that we’ve gotten, they all have their own different types of beauty

Anime Jinshi is more on the “Dashing” side Big Gangan manga Jinshi is more on the “Pretty” side Sunday GX manga Jinshi is more on the “Striking” side Light Novel Jinshi is more on the “Gorgeous” side

Or well… this made more sense in my head but you kinda see what I mean, right…? 🤕😭

Either way, they all have their own charms 🫶

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asteriass · 2 months

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Manga Recommendation: “Even Monsters Love Fairy Tales”

A while back I picked up “Even Monsters Love Fairy Tales“ & omg do I love it so far

First thing’s first, I LOVE THE FAIRY TALE VIBES ‼️❤️❤️

Like, the art looks like illustrations from a fairy tale story book. The storyline flows like those grim fairy tales. Which all goes PERFECTLY with the main theme of the story being fairy tales 🤧🤧

I APPLAUD the artist & author of this series for how well the story itself matches its themes even in terms of the manga’s narrative structure & art

Another thing I’m really liking so far are the main leads

For example, the ML is so intriguing & is such a fun character to read. But i also enjoy how the story does not gloss over the fact that he is a very dangerous person & is borderline pretty scary

The FL on the other hand is an earnest and responsible person, a bit to much for even her own good in a certain degree. However, she herself at times borders being (if not full on) morally gray. And those layers in her character make her interesting to read

All in all, I’m enjoying the series so far. I like it’s more grim takes on the usual tropes, the gorgeous fairytale-esque art, & the dynamic between the leads.

You guys should check it out too!

Side note:

The ML is heavily implied to have dyslexia & I like how it ties in to the contrast of how he takes in stories, as compared to how the FL consumes stories 🤧

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asteriass · 2 months

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Dokja’s phone battery

Being 100% fr, I dead@ss thought that after the apocalypse started Dokja’s phone became magic. In the sense that it had infinite battery. In my defense, I thought it was related to the fantastical existence of the TWSA novel on his phone. Counterargument, I’m stupid

Reading the novel, I now realise that he does indeed need to charge his phone regularly lol (the manhwa just never really touches on it much since ig it’s just filler info) Like, the poor guy is paying special mind to looking around and asking people for power banks cause his phone can just die on him anytime 😭 (in the start at least) Everybody else is like “?Why do you need a power bank?” [Cuz phones are basically useless now since there’s no network or connectivity. Dokja can’t really tell the exact reason so he just ends up like, “Um, I just have to do something, trust”]

Makes me wonder if somebody ever mistook him for just being CHRONICALLY addicted to his phone, cuz from their POV it makes no sense as to why he still keeps pulling it out or is fretting over powerbanks CUZ ITS THE APOCALYPSE ☠️

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asteriass · 2 months

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Dokja’s interest in the surviving mother & child at Geumho station:

In chapter 26 of the Omniscient Reader novel (which correlates to chapter 25 of the manhwa), there is a scene/dialogue that the manhwa didn’t adapt where Dokja is showing admiration for a surviving mother and son. And given what I now know about his relationship with his mother, I find it to be kinda interesting tbh:

I honestly admired that the mother and child survived the bloody fight. If she had that much strength, they might be able to survive without going with us

LIKE?????? Maybe I’m looking too deep into this and maybe the point of this is simply to once more bring to focus that in a dire enough situation where their lives are at risk, even a child will have to get their hands bloody to survive (since previously during said bloody fight, we see the mother teacher her child how to kill). And that, even in such circumstances, a mother will use her strength to protect her child

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THAT SOUNDS LIKE⁉️ Dokja’s relationship with his mother. Sure it’s not at all the exact same situation (the motivations are different and etc). But it’s kinda similar in the sense that both were in a life or death situation, the child (Dokja) ultimately got his hands bloody, his mother used her whatever strength she had (not necessarily physical strength) to help her child survive. Even if it’s not necessarily that most optimal path in life Even if the tipping point of the entire situation was desperation

Sure it could just be a PURE coincidence But it’s not like we haven’t gotten foreshadowing about Dokja’s relationship with mom earlier. When he was in the stomach of the ichthyosaur, there was some really clear one (both in the manhwa and the novel) And sure, Dokja’s admiration of the mother and son potentially could’ve been something he didn’t necessarily consciously related to his mother and the two’s survival But narratively speaking, him focusing in on the mother and son, even if not consciously, has certain implications Especially when the mother and son belonged to a group of 5, but he focused in those two specifically constantly

And EVEN IF there’s no direct correlation to his backstory, the story’s constant focus on that mother and child during that arc (which there is a notable amount) has implications. In an earlier chapter, the narration points out how that mother was sacrificing herself for her child, how she was giving her child lessons about life that will aid him in the harsh reality the two have found themselves in, what even a young child had to do to ensure his survival, and how the mother used her strength to ensure her and her child’s survival and get her child ready for survive on his own in this cruel reality This all goes to show what a mother who holds her child dear, WHO SHE LOVES THE MOST IN THE WORLD, would do for him in an environment that is out to get them All of which are themes that are once again brought up in Dokja’s backstory. Reality or fantasy, the two instances are pivotal to this story’s focus on the ways in which people survive in dire situations. How a mother, who holds her child dear, would choose to survive. EVEN IF the two instances potentially only bear similarities due to pure coincidence and nothing else

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