Side story: Prologue - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

**Prologue. Special Announcement** **Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Special Edition** Prologue. Special Announcement. Dear readers, thank you for waiting so patiently. At last, we are starting the special editions of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. Though it has begun, to be honest, I have no clue what content to write. This story was never intended to lead into a special edition in the first place. During my break, I read the feedback left by all of you on the main series, and I was truly amazed. You are all geniuses. Compared to that, I have no thoughts. Just how thoughtless was I… actually, I haven't even settled on the main character yet. When I wrote the main text of Omniscient Reader, the story flowed easily. But now, it feels as if someone has struck me hard on the back of the head, leaving my mind blank. Still, I am writing this announcement because at least this... ... I stopped typing there and held down the backspace key. Darn it, what am I even doing? No matter how bad the situation is, these aren't words a professional writer should be using. I bit my nails and started a new sentence. How about starting like this? ... Now that I think about it, I never introduced myself. Although my identity does appear in Chapter 549 of『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』, I’m sure most of you have forgotten. Speaking like Kim Dokja, I’d describe myself this way: Yi Hak-Hyun (李鶴翾). My father paid a significant sum of 300,000 won at a philosophy institute to give me a name as grand as soaring like a noble crane. 'Hak' as in crane (鶴) and 'Hyun' as in fly (翾). Incidentally, the philosophy institute that named me went out of business soon after. It was then that my father discovered the hidden brackets before the meaning of 'Hyun', which means to 'fly' lightly. Hyun (翾) Fly 1. To fly (lightly) In summary, I am that kind of person. Yi Hak-Hyun, 33 years old. 1. (Lightly) Hit web novel author. For reference, the name of my only successful work is as follows: + Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint – Total 551 chapters ― Author Yi Hak-Hyun + A lengthy fantasy novel spanning 551 chapters, 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』. Nicknamed ‘Omniti...’ I stopped there again and pressed backspace. That was turning into just a self-introduction. And worse, it's terrible. I'm not even the main character of this special edition, so what is the point of introducing myself? Buzzzzz. That buzz wasn’t a spark of creativity, it was my cellphone ringing. I pressed the call button with a serious expression, mimicking Kim Dokja as he braced himself for a storm of logic. My editor’s voice came through. ― Writer-nim. This was the phrase I feared most these days. “Yes.” ― You’re working on the special, right? And this was the second most feared. “No.” The person sighing on the other end was my dedicated editor, Ji Eun-Yoo. As for Ji Eun-Yoo, she’s a seasoned PD in this industry. It’s largely thanks to her that I, who once wrote pure literature, ended up dragged into this realm. In that sense, she’s also my lifesaver. ― What do you want to do? I replied in a gloomy voice. “Well, what should I do?” ― You’re not playing games right? The new release? “I only installed it.” ― Then why are you logged into Steam? “When the computer turns on, Steam launches automatically.” ― But? I just got a notification saying you started a game. I closed the game I was loading and spoke. “Am I playing games to play games? I’m doing it to get ideas.” ― There was a time I believed that. Ji Eun-Yoo has developed a theory throughout her six years as an editor. Writers who play games to get ideas end up just playing games, even if they get inspired. Frankly, I think that statement is true. ― What about the idea you mentioned before? “When I actually tried to write it, it didn’t work.” ― Weren’t you planning to do a collaboration with your previous works? The idea we briefly discussed. I recalled the titles of my earlier works one by one. 『Orc Philosopher』 『Warden of Infinity』 『System Breaker』 『Wizard in a World That Does Not Collapse』 『Method Master』 『How to Become a Star Writer』 ... No matter how much I thought about it, there was no natural way to integrate those novels with 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』. Besides, 『How to Become a Star Writer』 is a preposterous story where author Yi Hak-Hyun (yes, that’s my name) becomes a 'star writer' by possessing a character in the book, and there was no way that absurd novel could be used for a collaboration. And most importantly, “Why collaborate with failures?” Most of those novels never transitioned to paid versions and their serialization was stopped. ― I thought they were all fun. “Such words don’t comfort me at all.” ― Remember when you got inspired after going to the rooftop drinking? Maybe you should try that again? “I already did.” ― You don't feel like you're getting a hit on the back of your head, or have a dream about Han Soo-Young? I sighed deeply, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry. In my novels, I would easily write things like Yoo-Jung-Hyuk smacking the back of my head, or Han Soo-Young sending me stories... Nowadays, part of me wishes it were true. ― Ah, I’m sorry. I know. Ji Eun-Yoo must’ve been at her wit's end to say such things. There’s news of market recessions every day. I heard Ji Eun-Yoo’s management company is also facing financial difficulties. Employees who were recruited en masse are leaving, and affiliated writers are abandoning the management or leaving the market one by one. Though I wonder if me writing a special edition would really help in such times. – Anyway, there are many readers waiting for your story, Writer-nim. “Where are they?” Admittedly embarrassing, ‘Omniti’ once reached first place in the free bestsellers on the platform and was doing quite well. Fans who liked my novels emerged, and various communities shared reactions and discussions. After completing the work, I would secretly look up ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ online and feel content reading the readers’ reactions. But all of that is just history now. No one remembers my novel anymore. – Please stop nitpicking on words. There are. **So, Where Are They?** I suppressed the sudden urge to question further. "I'll try my best," I said with a hint of reluctance, ending the call, and deciding that tonight seemed like a good time for a drink. Closing my laptop, I headed to the nearby convenience store to pick up a can of beer and some snacks. Initially reaching for a bag of potato chips, I switched it for protein biscuits instead. Am I at that age where I need to worry about these things now? After a quick purchase, as I sat sipping my beer, Ji Eun-Yoo’s words echoed in my mind. 「"There are many readers waiting for your story, Writer-nim."」 For clarity, I use these single brackets (「」) whenever I have a significant thought. Right now, I'm having such a thought. Could there truly still be readers waiting for my story? While finishing the beer, I logged back into the web novel platform. Notifications had poured in, with automated messages urging me to continue the series, and notifications about new releases from fellow authors. And then... ― "I enjoyed it tremendously, Author-nim." Messages left by the readers. ― "14-year-old middle schooler here. It’s the first web novel I've ever read ㅜㅜ…" Some messages were endearing, others were earnest. ― "Reading this novel is the highlight of my military service..." All fragments of tales left behind by readers for me. Three years have passed since then. The middle schooler probably became a high school student. The high schooler likely transitioned to university, the soldier would have been discharged, and I hope the job seeker found employment. In any case, readers have moved on to different stages in life away from this story, while I remain here, now a dull person who chooses protein biscuits over potato chips. ― "It was wonderful, Author-nim." Suddenly, I coughed spilling a bit of beer. An alert indicated that a message had just arrived via the platform. To think someone would still send messages to a writer three years after the conclusion. ― Sender: Kim Dokja-Representative. Recognizing the sender's ID, something immediately clicked. Kim Dokja-Representative. During the height of the series, there was indeed a reader with such a nickname. ― "It's already been 3 years since Omniscient Reader has ended. Around this time every year, I feel nostalgic and re-read the series. This year was no different, and I enjoyed it all over again. It’s fascinating how it feels like a different novel each time I read it." Suddenly, memories from three years ago resurfaced. I fondly remember the joy of reading during serialization. It echoed my thoughts exactly. This reader consistently left comments and sent feedback messages. In essence, they embodied the nickname ‘Kim Dokja-Representative’ perfectly. ― "I wonder if you remember." Of course, I remember. I still occasionally look at those messages from back then. Memories of writing relentlessly until deadlines, and then, reading messages and comments from readers with an exhausted body before bed. If it weren’t for those who endured those times with me, I would have neither survived the solitude nor penned the final sentence. Hesitant, I reached for the keyboard. This time, I wanted to respond with my own words rather than through a novel. But then... ― "There's a small fan event tomorrow at 7 PM. If you’re available, it would be great if you could join us. We also plan to give a special gift as a thank you, Author-nim." A gift? ― "Sorry, but there's a charge for the event ticket. After all, I need to make a living too." For a moment, I recalled the prologue of Omniscient Reader. In the prologue, Kim Dokja receives a message from the author tls123. A notification that the epilogue would be available for a fee. It seemed this was a small joke from a long-time reader. I began drafting a reply. ― "Thank you so much, reader. But, I’ll only accept the sentiment of the gift. And if the ticket is paid... doesn’t that mean it's a purchase, not a gift? (Hahaha)" Surely, you haven’t prepared a separate gift, have you? Even if they had genuinely prepared something, there's no way I could shamelessly accept it, especially after failing to write even a special edition for three years. Perhaps this (Hahaha) should be omitted? Is it outdated to use it now? Naively, I thought about these things while sipping my beer. Unaware of what would unfold in my life the following day. --- **Author’s Note** This story is a side story of 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint', but it is not something outside the main plot. This story is still about Kim Dokja, but it’s not solely for one person named Kim Dokja. Thank you for waiting so patiently. Once again, we begin 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.' February 2023, SingShong