Setting The Ways of Survival is mostly set on a modern-day Earth which is governed by the , a system in which individuals must overcome challenges and create their own narratives for the enjoyment of other beings. The exists on many planets across the universe: not only is Earth referred to as "planetary system 8612" by the system messages, but numerous characters originally stem from or end up visiting other worlds. The has no apparent origin and is implied to have always existed, though many beings are waiting for and speculating about its end. Each world under the rule of is implied to go through an initial free trial period, in which the system is dormant. With the start of the "paid service", the challenges begin. It is further implied that the normal, almost inevitable outcome of this process is the complete destruction of the world. Scenario participants A number of entities exist in the , most of whom participate in the scenario. Incarnations Main article: Incarnation Individuals initially begin the scenarios as incarnations; these are generally viewed as the lower or less powerful of the two types of scenario participants. They rely on the sponsorship of the constellations in order to progress and become stronger. Transcendents Transcendents are incarnations who have become as powerful as constellations by forging their own unique path. Through talent and rigorous training they succeeded in repeatedly surpassing internal and external limitations of their species,[1] thereby positioning themselves somewhat outside of the system. Nonetheless, they are still dependent on it, as their power stems from fighting the establishment. Without a system to transcend, a transcendent is nothing. There appear to be multiple stages of transcendence that govern the individual's power level. According to Namgung Minyoung, there are three necessary requirements for transcending: going beyond the limits of the body, training all skills to the limit and choosing to go beyond the system to find your own story.[1] Many transcendents in ORV are outsiders who experienced social rejection for deviating from the norm and thus have a complicated relationship with their place of origin or general environment (e.g. Kyrgios Rodgraim and Peaceland,[2] Namgung Minyoung and the First Murim,[3] Yoo Joonghyuk's alienation from the world due to being a regressor, etc ). They also tend to be notoriously stubborn: every transcendent has something they can't concede[4] and they refuse to back down from their beliefs.[5] Despite their strength and subsequent status as ungovernable wildcards that even intimidates dokkaebis,[5] transcendents are still subject to the scenarios. Stories Main article: Story The is a system which is similar to a streaming service, displaying the flashy and entertaining stories of Incarnations' struggles to overcome the scenarios as entertainment for the constellations. Legendary mythical figures like Hercules have stories told of times they accomplished a particularly impressive task (like defeating the Hydra) or gained a unique skill. Similarly, when an incarnation or constellation accomplishes a particularly impressive task or gains a unique role/skill, a Story (or Fable) based around the incident is created and attributed to their name (or to the person whose name the individual is using at the time). A Story can help boost the incarnation/constellation's performance, should a situation arise which is similar to the origin of the Story in question. For instance, Kim Dokja's Story 'King of a Kingless World' allows him to exert influence on any being who doesn't have any 'King'-related Stories or roles. Stories are graded on a series of ranks, with more powerful Stories arising from more dramatic and exaggerated incidents. The ranking system is approximately as follows: History grade (lowest ranked) Legendary grade Quasi-myth / Semi-myth grade Myth grade Giant Story (highest ranked, and significantly more powerful than any other type of story) In order for an incarnation to become a constellation, they must have five Stories of at least legendary-grade to their name, in addition to not having a sponsor contract with another constellation. Should an incarnation already have at least five legendary-grade Stories, and then break their sponsor contract, they will most likely become a constellation themselves. Coins Main article: Coin The currency of the is coins. They can be transferred between incarnations. However, the most common coin transactions are made by constellations, who can sponsor coins to incarnations they watch on the channels of the . Constellations with sponsor contracts are expected to supply coins to their sponsored incarnations as well. Coins are extremely valuable in the , as they are used to upgrade stats for both incarnations and constellations. They can also be used to purchase items from the Dokkaebi Bag. Nebulas Main article: Nebula In order to protect allies from probability storms and in order to more efficiently share resources, groups called nebulas can be created. Nebulas are named with arrow brackets enclosing their name (for instance, , , or the ) and normally consist of a number of constellations, although incarnations can also make up their numbers. Nebulas generally contain constellations/incarnations coming from a similar region, party, or series of myths. They are beneficial in many ways to participating members, as beings within a nebula can share probability, coins, and aid each other in scenarios. Demons and Demon Kings Main article: Demon King Constellations, incarnations, and dokkaebis are not the only beings present in the world of Ways of Survival. When a constellation becomes corrupted, generally through rejection of their central theme or through a scenario, they become Demon Kings. Other beings, such as incarnations, can also become corrupted to become Demons. There are 72 pre-existing Demon Kings in Ways of Survival, including Agares, Asmodeus, and more; these names appear to have been taken from the Ars Goetia. Outer Gods Main article: Outer God Yet more beings exist in the world of Ways of Survival. Beings called outer gods or gods of another world exist outside the scope of the scenarios, and can gain access to the main world through a portal called the "Great Hole"/"Great Hall". The outer gods are heavily based on Lovecraftian lore, and consist of beings such as the Eater of Dreams, the Nameless Mist, the Living Flame, and the Great Plotter. Scenario Scenarios are challenges faced by incarnations and constellations in the . They act as obstacles which must be overcome in order to progress towards the overall end of the scenarios, posing deadly challenges which generally require participants to kill/defeat someone or something. Structure Each scenario is unique and has its own conditions and identifiers. All scenarios have a specific name, and can be divided into one of four categories. They are graded by difficulty on a scale from F to S (with particularly difficult scenarios having SS or higher rankings), though some particularly complex or unexpected scenarios forgo a difficulty rating altogether. Scenarios have carefully defined "clear conditions"; usually, there is only one clear condition, although there can be multiple. These conditions must be fulfilled within an established time limit, and the rewards to be gained for their completion are listed in the scenario window. Failure to complete the scenario will result in varying penalties, also listed in the scenario window. Occasionally, additional conditions or requirements are listed at the end of the scenario window. As a general rule, the clear conditions for a scenario will remain the same throughout, unless it is specifically mentioned that additional clear conditions will be added over time. In the case of extreme situational changes making a scenario impossible to complete, however, the clear conditions can and will mutate, and the scenario may gain a new name to mark this change. Rewards and failure penalties are often directly specified in the scenario window. On occasion, the scenario might instead have "???" listed as the reward/penalty; this indicates that the reward/penalty can be negotiated with the dokkaebi in charge of the scenario. Types There are four types of scenarios. Main scenarios Main scenarios are the overarching foundation of the , providing structure to the adventures of the incarnations and constellations. They progress the main flow of the story. Each main scenario is numbered, with 99 defined main scenarios in total. Sub scenarios Sub scenarios are used in two ways: to create smaller goals within main scenarios, or to pad the spaces between active main scenarios. They are not numbered. Sub scenarios can also be commissioned by specific constellations, should a powerful enough constellation have a goal they want to see completed. In this case, the scenario is marked with the commissioner's name, the Category field in the scenario window is filled out as "Sub (Personal", and the commissioning constellation provides the rewards. Hidden scenarios Hidden scenarios, as the name suggests, are scenarios not directly controlled or triggered by the dokkaebi. Instead, they activate when specific conditions are met; for example, entering a hidden area can enable one of these scenarios. They are often of a higher difficulty than the ongoing main or sub scenarios, likely due to their rare nature, but also have comparatively large or special rewards. Bounty scenarios Bounty scenarios, though similar to hidden scenarios in that they are activated under special conditions, do not exist naturally in the as hidden scenarios do. They are activated when multiple constellations viewing a channel set a bounty on completing a specific minor goal. Often, this goal consists of defeating an enemy who is not marked as a target by the current main scenario, but is simply someone disliked by the watching constellations. Due to their commissioned nature, bounty scenarios are much rarer than the other three types. Constellation Constellations are inhabitants of the and one of the two main types of participants in the scenarios. Appearance Constellations appear in various forms and species. Their true bodies tend towards human/humanoid forms. Some of them have animal/inhuman forms either exclusively or in addition to their human forms, such as the Dog Who Threw Himself into the Flames's dog body or Abyssal Black Flame Dragon's dragon body. In the case that a constellation doesn't have enough probability or is unwilling to spend the amount of probability required to appear in a true body, they can appear in a symbolic body.[1] Symbolic bodies take the appearance of the best-known item associated with the constellation in question (a goblet of wine for Dionysus and the 100-won coin for Yi Sunsin, for instance). Description Constellations are ascended incarnations and are the more powerful of the two types of scenario participants. They have immense Statuses, a large number of high-level Stories, and significantly more coins than most (if not all) incarnations. Constellations existing prior to the start of ORV are rather old, having been born long before the free service of planetary system 8612 was terminated. They are generally individuals whose stories have been told on Earth for aeons, mainly mythological figures like Eden's angels or the Greek gods, or historical figures like Yi Sunsin or Christopher Columbus. As former incarnations, constellations are still participating in the scenarios. However, they are much further ahead of the scenario curve than the majority of incarnations. As such, they spend the time between scenarios watching the journeys of other incarnations (and constellations) through the dokkaebi-run channels. They often treat said incarnation's lives like a gameshow as an escape mechanism, entertaining themselves with exciting and emotional displays from the incarnations. When a constellation favors a particular incarnation, they can form a sponsor contract with that incarnation, granting them their aid and stigmas and taking on the responsibility of being their protector. Origin Incarnations become constellations upon gaining five Stories, each of which must be Historical grade rank at minimum. Upon gaining their fifth story, the grants them an appropriate modifier based on the Stories that contributed to their constellationhood. New modifiers can be earned under certain circumstances, such as major transformations to their core themes (an Angel becoming a Demon or vice versa, for instance). Ranking Constellations are ranked as follows: Historical figure grade / Historical-grade (lowest ranked; has previously been referred to as upper-grade and great-grade) Narrative grade (also known as Fable grade) Myth grade (highest ranked) A constellation’s rank is decided based on their power levels, which in turn is determined by the strength and ranking of their Stories. Myth grade constellations rarely interfered with lower ranked scenarios because they were already on the candidate list for 'One Single Story'.[2] Abilities Modifier and synonymic construction: Constellations are given a 'Modifier' and a 'Synonymic construction' of it on basis of their fables. Example of Modifier: Demonic Judge of Fire. Example of Synonymic Construction: Constellation who likes to take revenge. Viewership of the dokkaebis' channels: Constellations are able to independently subscribe to and view the dokkaebis' livestreams of scenarios across the universe, without needing the dokkaebis to set up viewing screens for them. They may have to pay coins for this privilege if the channel is paid. Indirect messaging: Constellations subscribed to a certain channel can send indirect messages on it. These can be addressed to the incarnations being featured on said channel, or to the other constellations viewing the channel. Messages may contain approval, compliments, useful information, insults, requests, and/or more. Each indirect message costs 200 coins.[3] There is a character limit on how long an indirect message can be.[4] Coin sponsorship: Constellations can sponsor coins to incarnations featured on a channel. There is a minimum amount of coins which can be sponsored, depending on the channel, although there does not seem to be an upper limit.[4] VIP membership: Becoming a VIP subscriber of a channel grants certain perks, such as being exempt from the cost of indirect messaging.[4] Contract formation: Constellations have the ability to form contracts with other inhabitants of the . Sponsor contract: Generally made between constellations and incarnations, this allows the constellation to grant their sponsored incarnation their own stigmas, as well as support them through coins and growth packages sold in the Dokkaebi Bag. The constellation takes responsibility for the incarnation; any actions made by the incarnation reflect upon their constellation sponsor. Stream contract: Generally made between constellations and dokkaebis, this contract requires the dokkaebi to feature the constellation's sponsored incarnation on their channel. In exchange, the dokkaebi receives part of the coins earned by the incarnation as a commission. The incarnation themself cannot intervene in the contract, it being made exclusively between the constellation and dokkaebi.[5] Passive coin gain: As demonstrated in chapter 196 of the novel, constellations passively earn coins as a result of their fame. Dokkaebi Bag: Constellations win the ability to win items on the Dokkaebi Bag's shop. Persona Story: Every constellation has at least five stories, that it is their own stories that allowed their constellation ascension in the first place, which can give them some powers and stigmas. Stigmas: Powers that can be gained through stories, and can be given to incarnations. Story devour: Constellations can literally eat the stories, the better the stories are the tastier it will be for the constellation. Skills Skills are powers that humans and non-humans (such as Dokkaebis and constellations) possess. They can be obtained through a variety of ways such as starting with them, being gifted them, as a reward from scenarios, and even as a reward from other skills. Stigma Stigmas are abilities that are passed down to you by constellations, typically sponsors. Structure Almost all Stigma's have an interference similar to; a constellation gaining a stigma along with their status; finding an incarnation to sponsor; giving them a trial which rewards them with either a fable or stigma, or even both. Sometimes a constellation may gift an incarnation a stigma in order to persuade them into sponsorship. Other times it may be out of pure will; such as when Kim Dokja was given a trial to overcome his fears and was rewarded one. In Hyunsung's case, it provides us with more information; you may succeed the trial even if you were possessed during said trial. It also implies that Kim Dokja (and others,) may pass on stolen abilities, seeing how Yoosung was able to use Way of the Wind. Dokkaebi Dokkaebis are creatures that act as the moderators and channel owners of the Star Stream, named after trickster-like creatures from the Korean folklore. Dokkaebis have short bodies covered in thick, fluffy fur, with two arms and two legs extending from their generally oblong torso. They have clawed paws. Different dokkaebis have differently colored fur, usually in solid colors without markings or patterns. They dress in clothing much like humans do, though cut smaller and suited to their shape.[1] Some dokkaebis have also been seen with long, goat-like ears extending from their head, while others have no visible ears protruding from their fur. The greater their rank, the number of horns on their head ascend; they grow bigger as well, and optionally, change their clothing. Ranking Dokkaebis are ranked by their strength and power, generally decided by the viewership and donations received from their channel or by promotions from the Dokkaebi Bureau. There are four general ranks a dokkaebi can achieve, listed here in ascending order: Low-grade Mid-grade Advanced-grade Great-grade (dokkaebis of this rank are referred to as Great Dokkaebis) The highest rank a dokkaebi can achieve, however, is the title of the Dokkaebi King, held by a single individual. Abilities Channel owners Dokkaebis own unique channels on which they livestream inhabitants of different scenarios fighting their way to victory or loss at the Scenarios. Their channels are watched by constellations, who themselves are depicted on the channels alongside incarnations. Dokkaebis receive donations from the watchers of their channel in the form of coins. Enforcers Most dokkaebis, generally those who run channels, respect constellations and rely on them for their power. However, some of these constellations fell out of grace due to unavoidable reasons, and were transformed into dokkaebis. These transformed dokkaebis act as enforcers, ensuring that constellations, incarnations, and other dokkaebis alike obey the laws of the Star Stream, and punish those who do not.[2]