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@regress0r

well a zombie invasion wasn't really on kim dokja's bingo card, sure he fought zombies before...but this was a little bit different, it almost seemed video game like. not that he ever felt bad about taking human life before back at home, so he'll even less bad about killing a npc.

but damn, these things really do move fast. noticing one coming closer to him, he takes the opportunity to get away from it. kim dokja doesn't even bother to check whether or no but his abilities came back or not. even if they did, there had to be some sort limit on them. there was no way that this place would allow that to happen, even if the island is run amok but glitchy npcs. he wonders if that damn protagonist has figured that out yet or if he just ran running and started killing everything.

speaking of yoo joonghyuk, there he was standing over a zombie that he just slayed. as usual, he was always got the job done when needed.

"remind you of anything?" even if it wasn't the best memory that kim dokja had, but seeing this protagonist that he looked up to for a decade appear right in front of his eyes was enough to make him feel giddy. smiling at this seemingly "don't think we'll find a way to stop this, from what i gathered...this is a common occurrence on this island. let's try to survive then, yeah?"

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"What is that?" Two of the Stars sat huddled over two of the many computer monitors set up within their abode. It had been a few days since it had appeared, prompting the city's defense systems to seal away half of the branches. One screen showed an impossibly long chain of code, while the other flickered through various images from within the quarantined areas.

The Mistwood's trees had been dyed crimson, affecting the lighting. When the screen showed the Sky-Strewn Islands, you could see what looked like bodies walking over the edge of the floating isles. "A gift. Likely from the ones who infiltrated through a backdoor at the beginning of the year."

"Bloody hell. Are those bodies? Is it affecting all of the life in the simulation? Even the plant life? What sort of virus is this?" A glance at the coding was all they needed to identify the cause. "It's glitching the data? Altering its behaviour... Like zombies? How long will the system be able to suppress it? Long enough for us to counteract it, I'd hope?"

"Not zombies, fortunately. Their behaviour is similar, but... Perhaps disconnect Ofiuco from the network for the time being? They've been banging on the barrier for 26 hours. I don't think it'll hold for long with that much data crashing into it. Actually, never mind. It already collapsed. Maybe activate the emergency protocols."

Cracks could be seen forming in the barrier on the second monitor. It didn't take long for it to shatter, unleashing hundreds upon thousands of bodies that crashed into the city. Anything living that these bodies crashed into became infected with a virus and then moved to attack anything that hadn't been infected.

But while the Isolans from other worlds would be attacked, they couldn't be infected. So killing them would have to do instead.

"Erm. Slight issue?"

"What?"

"It has infected the emergency systems. We only have one charge."

"[CENSORED]. That's not good."

WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING!?

Zombies! ...Kind of! A virus has spread among NPC people, animals, and even the plant life. While the characters won't know what the Stars are officially referring to them as, they have been simply codenamed "The Glitched". Anything "living" they come into contact with will become Glitched itself, with the exclusion of the player characters.

That said, The Glitched will see the player characters as prey nonetheless and will try to kill them instead. There is also a glitching effect visible over them to indicate their status. Lets go over the types of Glitched in more detail:

GLITCHED NPCS Your standard "zombies". They were the NPCs that lived among the player characters this whole time. They resemble traditional zombies in many ways. They shamble, they moan and groan, and their movements can be unsettling. But they aren't decaying at least! They will attack in ways similar to zombies, running at you in hoards, thrashing, and biting if needed. Whatever it takes to kill their targets. That said, they're generally slow.

GLITCHED CREATURES Animals and monsters are also affected (not including character pets). They've become much more ravenous, including those that would normally avoid people altogether. If you've ever been terrified of the prospect of zombie squirrels crawling in through your vents to get you, well... Depending on the animal or monster, they might be faster and / or more dangerous than a regular Glitched.

GLITCHED PLANTLIFE While not as outwards dangerous, infected plant life affects the environment. Any infected plants will glow crimson red and, once enough plant life in a contained area is infected, even the sky will begin to glow an ominous red. This phenomenon will spread north as the virus spreads.

EVENT MECHANICS

ABILITY DRAIN

At the beginning of the event, every characters will be uncapped entirely since the Stars activated the emergency systems. However, these systems have lost power since. As a result, every usage of a character's powers will cause all of their abilities to weaken regardless of the one used, little by little, until their powers disappear entirely. This means that the characters will need to be smart about using them once they realize this. This also applies to weapons, and their durability will degrade after each fight until they're liable to break. While we won't be policing this, we ask that you don't ignore this mechanic completely.

NO RESPAWNING

The respawn system is part of the emergency systems, so for the duration of this event your character will not be able to respawn. If they die, they will remain dead until the conclusion of the event! If you go this route, they will exist as something akin to a ghost that cannot interact with the living world, but will be able to interact with other ghosts. If your character is still alive and has the power to see and hear ghosts, though? You'll still be able to interact with them!

MODIFIERS

The ones who installed the virus in the first place also installed a modifier system. Every encounter with ten or more Glitched will trigger a modifier wheel to spin on the phones of every player character nearby and will all land on a single modified that may affect the Glitched or the characters themselves depending. A new modifier will be rolled every hour, replacing the current one. You can find a list of what the effects do here, as well as the wheel to spin before each thread here! You're not required to use the wheel, but we do recommend it especially if you're doing multiple threads! Characters will be able to check their phones at any time to see which modifier is active.

GLITCHED TERRITORY

At the beginning of the event, the southern branches are already completely dyed crimson and rampant with the Glitched. They've broken through the barrier and are now entering the city en masse. Throughout the event, they will move farther and farther north, leaving your characters with a choice. Will they hunker down in the city to try and ride out this storm, or will they flee to the branches across the water? Unfortunately, eventually nowhere will be safe.

FAQ

When does the event officially end? The official end time is 11:59:59PM EST on Friday, April 18th! You won't be able to make any new minis, opens, or starters after that point!

What are the requirements for participation? All you need is one IC post within the event scenario!

What if we're not very good with horror elements? While the Glitched take a lot of cues from the zombie genre and you could portray them to be as physically bloodied and ravaged as you'd like, because they aren't technically undead, you could portray them without less or no emphasis on what might make them visually disturbing if you need to!

Can we kill the Glitched? What will happen to the NPCs that are killed this way? You can! They'll respawn as if nothing happened at the end of the event, but the characters themselves won't know this. This will surely bring about a moral dilemma for some, especially those that know specific NPCs personally.

If my character is killed, can I write a thread with them set before that death? Of course! As long as it's set chronologically before they died, it's fine!

Will my character have any way to defend themselves if they have no powers? Yes! Characters that are powerless can access an app in their phone that will allow them to assume their avatar from the Fantasia Intraspace simulation! Even if you weren't in the group during this event, you can create this avatar by picked a player race and spells!

I have another question! Feel free to ask through the masterlist! We'll answer it as soon as we're able to! We ask that you do not ask event questions in the server for this event, just so everyone is able to see the answers if they have the same questions!

[omnireading]

to: yoo joonghyuk from: kim dokja

[txt] actually...yes [txt] congratulate me [txt] i am your senior after all, you should treat me as such

TO: Kim Dokja. FROM: Yoo Joonghyuk.

[txt] I don't remember needing your approval. [txt] Do you want me to congratulate you? [txt] I won't.

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tch-

to: yoo joonghyuk from: kim dokja

[txt] geez, you're such a jerk [txt] pretty sure i had more coins than you back home [txt] i don't need your help anyways

TO: Kim Dokja. FROM: Yoo Joonghyuk.

[txt] So you are a fool. [txt] I fail to see how you needing money is my problem. [txt] Figure it out yourself.

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to: yoo joonghyuk from: kim dokja

[txt] where is your sense of adventure yoo joonghyuk? [txt] it could actually be serious y'know! [txt] what if i needed the 100,000 dust? [txt] would you give me some if i asked?

TO: Kim Dokja. FROM: Yoo Joonghyuk.

[txt] Do you think I'm stupid? [txt] Or are you really that much of a fool?

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actually he has a wonderful idea!

to: @regress0r [txt] FWD [txt] hey you should listen that chainmail [txt] it's very serious

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ignoring that text.

to: @hanabisays [txt] did you mean to send that?

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"what kind of bird is haru, i don't i've ever seen this type of breed before," not like he's seen every breed of bird to ever exist. it's just this one looked a little unique.

"i don't think it's that, also i don't think a bird whisperer is a real occupation." he likes animals, but he has never had any real affection for them. once the bird landed on his shoulder, he can see why hanabi likes this animal, its very cute. "...am i allowed to pet him?"

@omnireading

"Haru was a gift to me by my parents. He's super duper important!" The bird in question seems happy enough to be soaking up the attention of another. Man, he gets along well like this with others, but not Vanth it seems.

Haru chirps and takes flight to land on the male's shoulder. He chirps a singsong like tune. "He really likes you! Maybe you're like a bird whisperer, haha!"

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it finally seems the situations has calmed down...just a little bit though. kim dokja knows that he isn't out of the woods with him, anything he says can set yoo joonghyuk off and that's the last thing that needs to happen.

he looks like he still wants to strangle though...

"haha...i guess that's what i'm good at," laughing a little awkwardly. how the hell was he supposed to respond to something like that?! "be careful, i might actually think you care about me."

"well, no...i have not see her here. honestly, i've been pretty distressed about it the entire time i've been here. actually...i think i know how it feels when a parents loses their child in a crowded supermarket." guess kim dokja isn't just the only parents for biyoo, but for 3 more kids back on earth.

          THE PLEAS FELL ON DEAF ears as yoo joonghyuk's muscles tensed further, ready and willing to strangle the other ( it wouldn't be the first time ) for answers if he proved unwilling. kim dokja had always been a slippery bastard, tight-lipped and quick-tongued and doing everything in his power to avoid answering a question directly. it infuriated yoo joonghyuk, and at the moment he regretted every moment he'd let it slide in the past.

     he wouldn't let the other man get away with it this time.

     so it was lucky that he started talking before the regressor tightened his grip even further, even with his careful tone. yoo joonghyuk knew that every word was probably being thought about, and thought over again before leaving kim dokja's mouth. he never said anything without agonizing over it, yoo joonghyuk knew, but at least in this instance it was probably best for the white-coated man.

     a dark, unrelenting gaze bored into kim dokja as he continued to speak, yoo joonghyuk's frown deepening with each sentence. my incarnation body, the other man says, and that gaze flickered down to take in the state of it. he seemed relatively uninjured at the moment, but losing one's body wasn't something easily shaken off. even if kim dokja had done something as reckless as making deals with a wenny man.

     ❝ I should have known you would find some way to wiggle your way out of even that. ❞ a false bravado, hidden by his gruff tone, but kim dokja didn't have to know.

     yoo joonghyuk's grip finally began to loosen, partially satisfied with the explanations provided—if not any less wrathful over the need for them. he could wring kim dokja's neck more later, when they'd talked more about what exactly had gone through his idiot head in that throne room. that is... until his last sentence was thrown at the regressor, almost out of the blue.

     ❝ It hatched? ❞ yoo joonghyuk couldn't hide the surprise in his voice, or the way his eyes widened imperceptibly. ❝ Is she with you? ❞

[omnireading]

this is ridiculous, if he had his abilities, he would get out of here as fast as possible. kim dokja doesn't feel any malice from this, but there was something he couldn't shake, something is very wrong with this man.

"you are kidnapping me and basically holding me hostage, so no, this isn't fair!"

as soon as kim dokja saw the shop he knew what was coming. so it was because of what he's wearing, great. listen, there isn't anything wrong with what is on him! everything he was wearing was fine! he has decided that fate hates him and he is the only one that somehow gets these strange encounters.

"listen, the offer is a nice gesture and all, but i really don't need anything from here. so can you let me go?" trying to be a stern as possible, but this guy seems to be stubborn and doesn't take a simple no for an answer.

❛ Accomplice? ❜ Cecil echoes, his voices filled with shades of disbelief. ❛ Non, non, monsieur. You are what they call, "the whole package." ❜

❛ Crime, evidence, and criminal. I take you into custody because it is only fair, yes? We give judgment for the unjust, and make things right. ❜

He keeps his grip while quickening his steps, happily diving into the darkness.

❛ My shop might be new, but it is very professional, ❜ Cecil reassures his captive. ❛ I will have you transformed from head to toe. ❜

[omnireading]

this interaction is almost similar to his introduction to eiden, kim dokja really does need to learn how to mind his own business. but, he was curious person at the end of the day. those wings of her looked almost lethal, if she had hit him with them, kim dokja wouldn't be that upset about it. "hmm, i don't mind."

though the thought does come to mind, how did an angel, maybe even an archangel end up here of all places? her vibe seems totally different from uriel's, she seems...a lot more serious than uriel actually.

"so, was your weapon a book then?" somehow that doesn't really surprise him, in fact that almost sounds in character for angels. "from what is sounds like, raziel is your name. to be honest i don't think i've ever heard your name ever pop up in stories."

@omnireading

♦ "Um... Do you mind?" The archangel didn't need to turn her head to double check what she was writing. She could tell well enough that someone was checking over her shoulder to see what she was reading. She considered just slapping them away with her wing, but she didn't want to make enemies on day one.

She had a cheap notebook and pen, and was furiously writing down notes about her arrival in the city.

"If you have to know, I'm making a Sefar Raziel (Lite) so I can copy all of my notes over when I get my book back." If her mood sounded foul, that was why. Having her life's work taken away from her was not something she felt like being happy about.

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Being a beta reader must be hard

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he thinks of his of his time before the scenarios started, the amounts of energy drinks he had consumed just to stay awake during the long hours in the office. the thought of it just makes his stomach hurt, energy drinks and convenient store food everyday. ugh, maybe he should be happy he ended up in a different world.

"a smoothie to wake me up? that sounds-" way too sweet actually, even when working in a drab and boring office everyday, that didn't seem too appealing. but he supposes it might work for others including her. "it sounds a bit weird, so i don't think i would be willing to try it."

or maybe kim dokja doesn't like trying anything new.

"Oh that's good. Regular ol' coffee is so drab! I mean come on it's like drinking whatever you grounded up from the dirt right into someone's cup. Like people really gotta add at least something to it so it doesn't taste so bad."

Which was a bold statement from someone who might occasionally add a little bit too much to her own drinks. For better or for worse considering hers usually involved much more sugary additives as opposed to the usual drink..

"Have you ever tried a smoothie to wake up to before? i mean I've heard some people enjoy that espresso thing too. But imagine a fruity blend that you can't pull away from. That's the real stuff right there."

[omnireading]

oh, he didn't look happy with at all. not that yoo joonghyuk has ever had a smile on his face, but still! kim dokja feels the need to run and hide, he can definitively feel the bloodlust from the other man. he has no weapon, just this stupid wooden sword that's useless, and no skills that are available to him. he cannot fight yoo jonghyuuk off with bare strength alone wouldn't be able to fend him off.

he feels himself being shoved against brick, oh so this guy is going to be violent with him huh? "if you grip any tighter on my coat you might tear it!" he actually really like this one, at least spare him that!

"you idiot."

he isn't going to let his guard down, but kim dokja does ease up. "i'm not going to apologize, it would have been pointless if you became the demon king." he had to think about his words carefully, despite yoo joonghyuk's threat, he can be positive that the man would at least try and hear him out.

"my incarnation body was heavily damaged when i was expelled from the scenarios...there was really nothing around and i made a deal with the wenny man." it's not the best explanation, but kim dokja isn't going to even admit why he didn't want yoo joonghyuk to die for him. "then i made it do the 73rd demon realm. does this suffice for you? can you let me go?

if he cares a little, "the egg hatched, i named her biyoo."

          THERE WAS SOMETHING INFURIATING ABOUT hearing his name from kim dokja's mouth in that moment; it reminded him of the last time he'd heard it from him. 「 let's meet again, yoo joonghyuk. 」 it made the furious feeling overtaking him flare, and before he knew it yoo joonghyuk was moving again, boots striking the earth with unnecessary force as he closed the distance between the two. the urge to throw his sword welled up, to force the bastard to dodge it or die—if he had the breaking the sky sword, he would have. but watching the pathetic excuse for a wooden blade that he possessed now shatter on the bricks behind kim dokja would not satisfy him in the least.

     so he settled with gripping the lapels of that familiar white coat and slamming the subject of his ire to the bricks instead.

     ❝ You idiot. ❞ furious eyes locked with panicked ones as yoo joonghyuk clenched the fabric between his fist with enough force to make the sss-grade fabric creak. his other hand ached to raise, to fold his fingers tight and strike kim dokja somewhere that it would hurt. but he wanted answers more, and a kim dokja that was coughing on the ground was not one that would be able to answer his demands.

     a shake of that idiot's neck before crashing him back into the rough wall behind him would have to satisfy enough for now.

     ❝ Speak quickly, before I decide you're better off dead after all. ❞

[omnireading]

kim dokja was really minding his business, so some random person coming up to him caught him off guard.

"no i won't? i don't know you at all! also what crime are you talking about, i'm not going to be an accomplice you know!"

wait this man has a pretty tight grip on his wrist and even trying to release from it was impossible, so kim dokja has no choice but to follow the man where ever he went.

though turning down a dark alley didn't inspire any sort of confidence, "where are you taking me anyways? it better not be something super shady, i'll run away if it is."

@omnireading

❛ Excuse me, monsieur. ❜

❛ You will come with me, yes? This is a crime more serious. ❜

Not caring of the reaction from the man in the white labcoat, Cecil's already clamped a gloved hand over the other's wrist in an attempt to drag them off into an alleyway.

...with the eventual destination being his store, after this handy if suspicious-looking shortcut in the dark.

[omnireading]

kim dokja and his mom :)