Side Story: Episode 14-4 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 14. Hunting (4) The old narratives strangled Han Sooyoung's neck as they clamored. "This is as far as your sentences go." "You are no longer the author of this story." "Did you think you could reach the ending after forgetting us?" [Seems like you're finally hearing those words.] These 'Narratives of Another World' were all sentences she once wrote. Forgotten words. Fragments of narrative born from unkept promises. Like chicks seeking their mother, the forgotten narratives burrowed into her breath. Han Sooyoung unleashed her magic. If she couldn't use 'Grand Narratives,' escaping from here was her top priority. Fortunately, she had one suitable skill. Her specialty as an author. When she was caught off guard during the fight between Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk, it was this skill that allowed her to survive. But now... [Hm, do you intend to use an avatar?] One of the 'Hell's Watchers' slowly rose, transforming into a human appearance. Wrapped entirely in a pitch-black robe, he pulled a sword from his garb. Han Sooyoung immediately recognized the item. The Four Tigers Evil-Slaying Sword(四寅斬邪劍). The starlight engraved on it burned brightly. He invoked the powers of the 'Four Tigers Evil-Slaying Sword' through his narrative. As the sword's trajectory slashed through the air, Han Sooyoung was enveloped in the agony of her consciousness being split in half. "It snapped." The link with the dummy [Avatar] she had maintained was severed. The power of the Four Tigers Evil-Slaying Sword. The force that severed astral connections cut her tie with the [Avatar]. Now, escaping using the [Avatar]'s 'memory transfer' was impossible. If she were to die here, it would be a true death. [You will perish here.] For the first time, cold sweat formed on Han Sooyoung's forehead. He was strong, meticulous, and cunning. If this were during her entry into the 41st scenario, she wouldn't have been so helplessly caught. But right now, she had expended too many narratives. [Had you not met him. Had you not squandered narratives to revive him... do you regret those choices now?] Han Sooyoung's lips moved silently. [You couldn't have ignored him. Because he's here in this world because of you all. The ending you wished to see, in the end, ruined every story.] The power of narratives erupted from Han Sooyoung's whole body. She couldn't use 'Grand Narratives', but that didn't mean she was completely unable to wield narratives. [Narrative, 'False Savior', begins its tale.] Blood trickled down Han Sooyoung's lips. Slowly regaining her strength, her arms tore apart the grip of narratives strangling her. Narratives dispersed from her breath, and her muscles wracked with pain as if being squeezed. Even amidst her flickering consciousness, Han Sooyoung focused on the enemy before her. "You..." The familiar demonic energy flickered within the darkness. An enemy capable of cornering her so effortlessly. The power to command demons as subordinates. Someone who knew her and shared narratives with <Kim Dokja's Company> and a divine nature. Such a presence was rare even in the entire universe. "I heard you were dead. How did you get here?" [You're only realizing it now?] The 'Hell's Watcher' in the darkness began to change its form. [Indeed, I was dead--in the 'stories you wrote.'] The beast's snout slowly receded, revealing a pale human face. [Do you think you know all stories?] He smiled white, casting off the robe to reveal a figure resembling Kim Dokja. [My new name is 'Kim Dokja's Representative'. Isn't it intriguing? In the story you wrote, such an existence didn't exist.] Han Sooyoung grasped the 'Unbroken Conviction' lying on the ground. A sound reminiscent of metal grinding echoed as the sword, imbued with narrative, radiated brilliance. "I didn't write it because I didn't need to." Her sword strikes descended upon the approaching beasts. "I'll kill you again." She was convinced. No matter the cost, she couldn't let this wretch survive. Even if all her narratives ended here, she had to kill him right now. For Kim Dokja's sake, it had to be done. [With you as you are now, you cannot.] Han Sooyoung swung her sword without responding. She was, after all, the author of 『Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World』 and the author of 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』. She had seen the end of scenarios twice and brought down countless stars from the sky. Splintered white light, imbued with her long-held conviction, pierced the darkness. Before the demonic creatures' necks could regenerate, a second and third strike followed. Arms were severed, legs broken. The debris rolling on the ground was incinerated with [Black Flame] to prevent regeneration. Han Sooyoung advanced, meticulously dispatching the demonic creatures one by one. The beasts kept materializing from somewhere. Persistent, relentless demon hounds. As if they'd been trained for a lifetime to hunt her alone, they clung to her arms and legs, matching her movements. Yet Han Sooyoung remained optimistic. While using her narrative power imposed risk, the opposition was also sacrificing a significant amount of probabilistic coherence. <Star Stream> wouldn't allow such frequent summoning powers in the early scenarios. This was essentially a chicken game of coherence, and in such a battle, Han Sooyoung had confidence. If she held out just a little longer, their strength would wane. But no matter how many beast necks she severed, there was no sign of the adversary facing backlash for coherence. Why? Boom! The 'Great Hall' rippling in the sky suddenly came into view. It was the prelude to the fifth scenario. The moment she saw sparks flashing by the 'Great Hall', Han Sooyoung's entire body tensed with foreboding. Unknown divinities beyond the Hall were shouldering this conflict's coherence. "Why?" Why were the 'OtherWorldly Divinities' assisting him? At that moment, a hypothesis flashed through her mind. --- **Terms Translated and Reasons:** 1. **'Four Tigers Evil-Slaying Sword(四寅斬邪劍)'** - This is a based translation focusing on reason and meaning — 'Four Tigers' likely refers to an astrological or symbolic construct, while 'Evil-Slaying Sword' clearly indicates the sword's purpose. 2. **'Unbroken Conviction'** - Translated as such to convey the idea of steadfastness or resolve, reflecting a sacred or powerful concept she seizes from the ground. For improved understanding: - **Narrative Skills**: These refer to the unique abilities wielded by characters through stories or narratives known to them. - **'Great Hall'**: A cosmic structure tied to the story scenarios, hinting at governing rules or structures, possibly with external divine influences. Adjustments: - Possible update to **Kim Dokja’s Representative** reflecting a new character who parallels Kim Dokja not in identity but in appearance and potential role, adding intrigue and complexity. - Consider adding **Narrative Skill** to the list for ease of understanding the nature and scope across translations. Understanding the complexity of astral and narrative influences is vital as characters utilize stories (narrative power) to combat scenarios or adversaries, as demonstrated by Han Sooyoung using 'False Savior' against her enemies. 「What if, crossing over the world lines wasn't limited to just <Kim Dokja's Company>?」 A crackling sound filled the air! The tenuous balance of Han Sooyoung's body broke. As the power of the narratives dissipated, the coherence backlash started to gnaw at her incarnation. Han Sooyoung looked up at the sky with resentment. Even with the 'Otherworldly Divinities' assisting him, ultimately, permission from this world was required. Everything was made possible by the tacit allowance of the stars. The <Star Stream> of the '41st round' agreed to exclude her, the irregular intruder, from the scenario. "...Damn <Star Stream>." Han Sooyoung's weakened arms fell, and the light of the 'Unbroken Conviction' dimmed. "Is this the end?" Han Sooyoung disliked narratives that flowed as if everything was preordained. Stories without unexpected turn become boring and lazy. Readers quickly catch on to her shortcuts. 「Yet Han Sooyoung couldn't think of a sentence to turn this situation around.」 With that, Han Sooyoung felt her role had come to an end. Perhaps even Kim Dokja, somewhere in that sky, was no longer interested in the story she'd written. In this world, there was already another storyteller. But thinking that the ending was right before her, a sense of regret washed over her. There might still be more sentences she could write. There were surely words she hadn't been able to say to him. "This world truly makes happiness exceedingly difficult." Slowly her knees bent. In the final moment, Han Sooyoung moved her trembling hand to pull something out of her pocket. A lemon candy lay in her small hand. Narratives flowed within the tiny candy. Very old narratives. Nostalgic sentences cherished by a single reader. Han Sooyoung gazed at the candy for a long time before her strength gave out and her head slumped forward. Seeing this, 'Kim Dokja's Representative' laughed. [What an outstanding final sentence, Han Sooyoung.] A black claw emerging from the darkness moved toward Han Sooyoung's unconscious neck. 「Once a writer can no longer pen stories, what do they become in the end?」 That was when a star twinkled beyond the sky. As a dazzling light illuminated the alley, 'Kim Dokja's Representative' squinted and looked upwards. [Moonlight Empress. Have you come to interfere again?] [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight' glares at 'Kim Dokja's Representative.'] [Feel free to join in. But know that it's different from last time.] Despite the fearsome starlight swirling in the firmament, 'Kim Dokja's Representative' remained unfazed. [Do you actually think you can manifest here without a proper vessel?] In that instant, the entire alleyway was flooded with brilliant light. [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight' blooms in white.] A startled Kim Dokja's Representative quickly surveyed the surroundings. Impossible, it couldn't be. No matter how powerful the 'Moonlight Empress' might be, it defied the rules of the <Star Stream> to manifest in an early scenario like this— [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', smiles quietly.] With a whistling sound, an arrow flew from somewhere, grazing his cheek. The 7th-grade demonic creatures accompanying him cowered and shrieked in pain. "Fire!" A voice cried from the opposite end of the alley. Incarnations dressed as imperial soldiers shot arrows into the alley. "Kill the demon bastards!" With a frown, Kim Dokja's Representative swept his hand, instantaneously neutralizing the rain of arrows. [Foolish—] When had it happened? Only moments ago, Han Sooyoung's inert body was lying in the middle of the alley. The sound of wire. Her fallen form was already escaping with someone carrying her on their back. "Keep firing!" Amidst the incantations of the incarnations, Kim Dokja's Representative chuckled. [Oh dear, really.] Deflecting the arrows wasn't difficult, but he couldn't attack the incarnations either. As the size of the 'Great Hall' in the sky gradually shrank, the precursors of coherence backlash began to creep over him as well. It was, of course, expected. He was a lofty Otherworldly Divinity. Engaging an irregular like 'Han Sooyoung' from another world line and confronting early scenario incarnations weren't coherently equivalent actions. As he momentarily glanced at the sparkling star in the sky, Kim Dokja's Representative spoke. [Kim Dokja’s Company. How long do you think a 'story where no one dies' can last?] With that last question, his form disappeared into the darkness. "The bastard fled!" Shortly afterward, the arrows from the incarnations ceased. "It's loot! Demonic creature hides!" The incarnations cheered joyfully upon finding the bodies of the slain demonic creatures. Shortly thereafter, the figure who had been carrying Han Sooyoung stopped on a rooftop. "It's safe now." A soothing and gentle voice. As Han Sooyoung groaned and slowly opened her eyes, the dim landscape became clear. In the moonlit night scenery, she saw a small-framed incarnation holding her. "Yoo Sangah?" No, while the aura was similar, it definitely wasn't Yoo Sangah. Yet the face felt oddly familiar. With such a distinctive appearance, she couldn't have forgotten. Who is this? She felt like she should remember… [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', tells Incarnation Han Sooyoung that she can rest now.] With a blank expression, Han Sooyoung briefly surveyed the sky and gradually closed her eyes. Again, a star in the sky twinkled. [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', thanks her for the help.] Then the incarnation carrying Han Sooyoung spoke. "We should help each other survive. Besides... it's remarkable. I never thought this person actually existed." [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', asks if she knows her.] "To say I do... it's a bit complicated." [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', asks if she can take care of her.] "Of course." [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', gazes at Han Sooyoung with pity.] --- **Terms Translated and Reasons:** 1. **'Kim Dokja's Representative'** - This name retains its original English form while conveying that it's a "representative" or alter ego of Kim Dokja which adds mystery and a hint of a deceptive nature. 2. **'Unbroken Conviction'** - Maintained from prior translation, representing the weapon as steadfast and unyielding. 3. **'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight'** - This beautifully captures both the visual elegance and the mysterious presence of the Constellation referred to, while also preserving the poetic nature of the original. **Context and Adjustments:** - Clarified **'Moonlight Empress'** as associated with a powerful Constellation, possibly altering the cosmic balance. - **"Star Stream"** continues its role as governing rule structures, affecting narrative actions. The narrative draws a line between the cosmic and personal influences, as characters navigate power dynamics leveraging narrative control, star forces, and Constellations’ wills. The incarnation nodded in agreement, understanding the sentiment. "Anyway, all authors are quite similar." She poked the cheek of the sleeping Han Sooyoung with curiosity and remarked, "They neglect the manuscripts they should be writing, waste their energy on unnecessary things, and their health management is a complete mess..." [The Constellation, 'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight', asks how she knows so well.] The incarnation looking down at the weary face of Han Sooyoung grinned mischievously. "Because my own author was like that too." --- **Terms Translated and Reasons:** No new specific terms or titles were introduced that required additional translation beyond contextually relevant dialogue. The characterization provides insight into authors' habits, bridging worlds through shared human experiences. **Context and Adjustments:** - Emphasizes the personal connection and understanding between the incarnation and writers, illustrating a universal theme of creative struggle. - Maintains **'Lotus Blooming Beneath the Moonlight'** as an influential Constellation with a humorous rapport with the incarnations, suggesting familiarity and deeper interpersonal dynamics.