Chapter 57: The Deviant Thread
Location: Seoul Subway Line 3, Car 7Time: 7:38 PMScenario: Main Scenario #1 – Proof of ValueThread Divergence Level: Extreme
"I was gone for what, ten minutes?"
The voice echoed in 47's mind — smooth, arrogant, amused.
"You killed some baby goblins, broke things, and painted the train with cursed bile. You really can't sit still, can you… baldy?"
Sukuna.His voice dripped sarcasm and glee.
47's only response was silence.
Across the cabin, the bodies were still twitching. The passengers were huddled. The floor was soaked in blood. Yoo Joonghyuk was staring 47 down, the light in his eye sharp — the instinct of a regressor screaming that something had gone off-script in a way it never had, not even once in over fifty regressions.
"Who are you?" Joonghyuk asked.
47 gave no reply.
Joonghyuk's patience snapped.
He stepped forward, aura rising — the faint hum of the Electrification skill crackling on his forearm.
"I asked a question."
Kim Dokja took a step between them, voice tense. "Joonghyuk, wait. I don't think this is the right—"
He didn't finish.
The train violently jerked, throwing everyone sideways.
Metal screamed.
The lights cut out—just for a moment—and the screech of twisting steel echoed through the tunnels like a roaring beast.
47 grabbed a rail and stood balanced, his perception instantly activated — something had hit them. No… something had stopped the train.
Screams rang out from the other cars.
The ceiling above groaned.
And then—
THUD.
THUD. THUD.
A deafening roar erupted as the roof above them was suddenly ripped open like paper, metal torn in jagged streaks.
Dokja's mouth opened.
Joonghyuk froze.
47's head tilted.
From the gaping hole, something huge and monstrous peered down — a snout lined with fangs, yellowed eyes burning with hate. Then four more joined it.
High Trolls.
Monsters of flesh, bone, and violent regeneration.
Each of them nearly three meters tall, skin armored with layers of blackened sinew, long limbs ending in claws dripping with diseased slime. Their mouths hissed, drool hanging like viscous chains.
This… wasn't supposed to happen.
Even Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't hide the disbelief.
"They don't show up until the sixth scenario…"
🗨 Constellation "God of Light and Command" has become alarmed.🗨 Constellation "Duke of Savagery" bursts into laughter.🗨 Constellation "Secretive Plotter" observes in silence.🗨 Constellation "Prisoner of the Golden Headband" is readying support.🗨 Constellation "Black Flame General" shouts: Show me blood!
The dokkebi reappeared, now grinning wide.
"What a glorious mistake you've made… foreigner. It seems the scenario is... evolving."
He waved his hand, and a ripple passed over the world like static.
A new message appeared.
Main Scenario Mutation – Triggered by Unknown Variable.Main Scenario #1: Proof of the StrongObjective: Kill the invading High Trolls.Time Limit: 30 MinutesReward: 10,000 Gold Coins + Skill AwakeningFailure: All passengers will be consumed.
47 read the screen.
The moment he finished, Sukuna's laughter cracked through his head, wild and delighted.
"Now that's more like it! Big, ugly, regenerating. Finally, something with meat on its bones!"
"Let me out, baldy. I want to stretch. I promise I won't kill your little friends... unless they try something stupid."
47's eyes narrowed.
"Try anything unnecessary," he said silently, "and I'll rip your soul out finger by finger."
"Hah! You're learning to threaten back. Fine. I'll behave... mostly."
47 took a breath.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: Sukuna's True Binder]Manifestation: Granted.Duration: Until Dismissed.
A King Returns
From behind 47's eyes, something unholy emerged.
Markings bloomed across his skin — deep crimson, swirling like a cursed language etched by gods. His eyes darkened. His teeth sharpened.
The very air collapsed inward, sucked dry of sound and warmth.
Sukuna emerged — his full form grafted over 47's body like a demonic mantle. Four eyes, jagged tattoos, and a terrifying grin like that of a devil remembering the taste of genocide.
Passengers screamed.
Even the trolls — feral and monstrous — paused, suddenly unsure.
Yoo Joonghyuk's hand twitched.
Kim Dokja instinctively backed away.
🗨 Constellation "Duke of Savagery" has entered a frenzied state.🗨 Constellation "Voice of the Hollow Tempest" is terrified.🗨 Constellation "Eldritch Warden of Fractured Time" begins observing through three realms simultaneously.
[KING OF CURSES – Passive Perk Triggered.]Non-human Threats Detected. All Stats Increased by 200%.Base Stats:Strength: 527Dexterity: 529Endurance: 515Reflexes: 541Intelligence: 508Perception: 532Stealth: 540
📈 [NEW STATS (BOOSTED):]Strength: 1581-3000+Dexterity: 1587-3000+Endurance: 1545-3000+Reflexes: 1623-3000+Intelligence: 1524-3000+Perception: 1596-3000+Stealth: 1620-3000+
The train rocked again as one troll jumped directly into the cabin.
Sukuna didn't move.
He just grinned wider, cracked his neck—
And said:
"Come on then, pests. Let's see how fast you can stop screaming."