Chapter Text
Kim Dokja had a habit of spacing out into the depths of his mind since he was a child. Standing on this chair in the waiting room, waiting for his turn to come didn't really help.
What will happen to him, in this world that doesn't seem like his? Who will he be in this story that isn't his? What will happen if he changes things from the original story? Was there anyone out there like him, not that anyone had finished the novel other than him seeing the views on chapters only hit 1 or maybe 2 sometimes from people who had misclicked or just Dokja himself wanting to reread a chapter. What will he do in this new world? Does he have a goal? Will he manage to help the protagonist Sung Jinwoo in this story of his? Will he be strong enough?
So many questions, yet it seemed only time will answer any of them. Kim Dokja sighed and slumped on the plastic chair he was sitting on.
He dug his phone from his pocket and fiddled with it for a while, glancing away from it as someone exited the Evaluation room all excited. He turned his attention back to his phone and searched for the latest news. He mindlessly scrolled through them, taking in all of the information written in them and filed away some articles for later.
「 Unique skill 'Reading Comprehension' has activated 」
He visibly shook from the system's robotic voice talking in his mind.
Some notification ringed in his head as the blue screen from the (Sung Jinwoo's? His own?) system appeared in front of him like it did back in the hospital room to Sung Jinwoo.
「 You have unread messages 」
"Open." He whispered as low as he could, not wanting to attract attention to himself in this room.
A soft ding, probably only heard in his head.
「 You have two unread messages.
- Welcome, [Reader]. (Unread)
- [Daily Quest : Fate and strength come to those who fight to earn it]. (Unread) 」
He repeated the same words as before.
「 This System, similar to the one from the "Player" as the "Reader" knows, will help with the growth of the “Reader”.
Non-compliance with this System’s instructions may result in a penalty.
Due to "Reader" attribute, Unique skill [Fourth Wall], Unique skill [Character List] and Unique skill [Reading Comprehension] have been added to rewards.
Your rewards have been received. 」
That was a lot of skills. But the message had answered a few of his questions. So he had his own system. Like the protagonist, like Sung Jinwoo. That meant the rewards were the same for him, right? Could he also get OP like End of Novel Sung Jinwoo? Could he become important too, like Sung Jinwoo was just a nobody at first?
"Kim Dokja?"
Startled, he got up and walked over in the evaluation room. He could feel the tension of any busy workplace in the air. As he was led into the room the cleanness of the room made him feel like he was back in the hospital. In front of him was a tool to mesure magic power, just like the one in the hospital room.
"Please place your hand on the device in front of you." A tired middle aged woman said. She looked like him when he pulled a few all-nighters and overtime, with the puffy eye bags and overall messiness.
Kim Dokja did as asked. He placed his (rather frail) hand on the tool.
After a few seconds, the tickling sensation quickly turned to a shock of electricity coming from the tool.
「 Unique skill 'Fourth wall' has denied access 」
He immediately retrieved his hand.
「 'Fourth wall' has offset some of the shock and pain 」
Well that skill sure was helpful.
He stared at his hand, wondering what just happened then looked over to the employee.
She was stunned. Blinked a few times in disbelief and wrote something in her notepad.
"Ahjumma? What just happened?"
She sighed.
"It appears we cannot calculate your current rank."
What. What? Huh?
"What?"
She scribbled something down again.
"Congratulation, you are South Korea's 10th S-Rank"
. . .
"What."
He stared at her incredulously. He? Kim Dokja? Kim Dokja? The background character by excellence? That one nobody who reads webnovels as if it's the only thing keeping him alive (it is it was.), had taken Sung Jinwoo's role as South Korea 10th S-Rank.
When he literally just got here. And he wasn't even sure if he really was an S-Rank (he was so sure was not one) or if his skill had just offset the calculation and since that only happened to S-Ranks it was pretty obvious he would be mistaken as one.
"No- You must be mistaken."
She shook her head.
"We are unable to currently rank you, meaning your Mana is too strong for us to calculate."
Maybe there's just not any in the first place.
「 Unique skill 'Calm Mind' works in tandem with 'Fourth Wall' to remain calm 」
Kim Dokja thought for a moment. This actually might be nice if he wanted to keep an eye out for the plot. But he clearly wasn't an S-Rank. He was (still is?) just an ordinary depressed salary man.
"Could.. Could the Hunter Association keep it a secret from the public?"
She looked at him with a mix of emotion. He could feel confusion, annoyance and maybe a hint of disgust on him.
"You have just been ranked as a S-Rank hunter. Stated here," she flipped her notepad towards him, pointing at a section he couldn't even see, "you do not have the bestest of jobs. You could change jobs and become a Hunter. Live the life of your dreams."
Kim Dokja didn't feel like he deserved it, though.