Side Story: Episode 15-1 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

**Episode 15. Doorbell (1)** **Episode 15. Doorbell** "The Hundred Underworlds No. 89. 'Butcher of Madness'. Name unknown. Age unknown. Origin: Republic of Korea. The 'Butcher of Madness' was active from the <Demon King Selection Contest> to <Gigantomachia>. Certain nebulae tried to recruit him multiple times, but he continued to operate solo, eventually disappearing during the 90th scenario. During his 'madness state', his combat prowess was among the top of Incarnations, and records indicate he engaged in intense battles against India’s Ranveer Khan when the grand narrative <Mahanaraka> opened. The butcher, a ghost wandering the scenarios seeking revenge on those who killed his comrades, always wore a 'skull mask'. It is said that no one knows the true face hidden behind the butcher’s mask." – "The Strongest 100" by Bicheon Houry *** We promptly made our way to Seoul Station. The reasons were mainly twofold. One, to find the 'Butcher of Madness' Yoo Joonghyuk mentioned. And secondly, [You are currently in a 'Wanderer' state.] [You must seize a flag within 2 days.] It was about time to procure a new 'flag'. If I had decided not to participate in the 'Throne Plundering War', I might have maintained my 'Wanderer' status longer, exploring other means of survival... But considering this world is in its 41st regression, one cannot be too cautious. Yoo Joonghyuk might do something unpredictable, or odd ones like the Misread Alliance might appear. If those guys claim the 'Absolute Throne', this regression would end up being a complete failure. “Are you sure that so-called butcher is around Seoul Station?” Jung Heewon asked, and I nodded in affirmation. “Yes. And there should be some hidden flags around here, too.” How did I know? "Near Seoul Station, hidden 'White Flags' can be found in the vicinities of Huam-dong and Namyeong-dong." The moment I resolved to head to Seoul Station, sentences like this naturally surfaced. It was all thanks to the new skill I had acquired, 'Ways of Survival.' [Exclusive skill, ‘Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World’ is active.] I hadn't yet discovered its precise usage. Though I could turn the skill on and off, it lacked the ability to search for specific content or open a particular regression from 'Ways of Survival'. It merely offered specific lines from 'Ways of Survival' whenever I thought of something or took a certain action, much like a game prompt. Nevertheless, even as it was, it was incredibly beneficial. One enigma remained: Why had this skill suddenly appeared? Tracking back to the moment I met Han Sooyoung, when lines from 'Ways of Survival' began to emerge, I couldn't help but wonder if she'd somehow granted me this skill. But why would she, and for what reason? I had no idea. The only certainty was that I now possessed the information from 'Ways of Survival,' placing me at a significant advantage over other readers or the Misread Alliance. That's all there is to it. We quickly moved toward the southwest, where Seoul Station was situated. Passing through the tourist-heavy Myeongdong 8-gil, we occasionally encountered foreigners. Not precisely foreigners, but rather the bodies of foreigners. Most of the scattered bodies were too mangled by low-grade monsters to discern their former shapes. We chose to avert our gaze and continued walking. “Wow, look how this street has changed. Have you visited Myeongdong often?” “A few times during my university days.” "I used to work a part-time job at that theater." Jung Heewon gestured toward a partially collapsed building. “It was surely there...” In less than a month, the Seoul we knew had disappeared from the world. As if that world had to collapse for the new story to commence. “This place used to sell twisted potatoes at exorbitant prices. Also lobsters and...” “Have you tried them?” “Never. How could I afford such expensive food?” The streets once crowded with stalls, teeming with merchants, were now covered with the remains of monsters and humans. “Still, it smelled so good.” “Indeed.” The Myeongdong Jung Heewon remembered was different from the one I recalled. Yet here we were in the decaying Myeongdong, yearning for street foods we never thought we’d eat in our lifetimes. “Inho, sir.” “Yes?” “If you’re heading toward Seoul Station, can we make a quick stop at Huam-dong? It's right nearby.” Huam-dong. According to 'Ways of Survival', a place where hidden 'White Flags' were located. I nodded and asked, “Do you have some business there?” “There’s a place I want to visit.” A location likely dear to someone who survived a ruined world. I did not need to ask where it was. *** ‘Ways of Survival’ does not delve into Jung Heewon's history. To be precise, Jung Heewon herself was not even mentioned. That's because she wasn't a protagonist. But even in the so-called protagonist "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint," Jung Heewon's past wasn't fully explored. Then again, it wasn’t just Jung Heewon. Lee Hyunsung never talked about the army, Lee Gilyoung’s story about his mother was omitted, Shin Yoosung’s dead dog was concealed, and Lee Jihye’s friend’s story was skimmed over. If Han Sooyoung wrote this narrative, and <Kim Dokja Company> relayed it to her, why were their stories omitted from <Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint>? Was it a challenging mystery to solve? Probably not. Perhaps <Kim Dokja Company> didn't perceive 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』 as their story. For it was always a tale about Kim Dokja. "We're here." Following her lead, we arrived at a military apartment complex nestled in a secluded alley. "How many years has it been? It’s aged considerably." “Is this your first visit in a long time?” “I left home when I was in high school. Did I not mention it?” I vaguely remember hearing it, yet at the same time, I'm not sure. “I didn’t wish to come, but since we’re heading to Seoul Station, I figured I might as well.” Had someone cleared away the bodies? The entrance leading to the apartment parking lot was marked only by bloodstains. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **백인도해 (Hundred Underworlds)**: Translated as "The Hundred Underworlds," refers to a series or collection within the story. 2. **광기의 도살자 (Butcher of Madness)**: Title preserved as it aligns with the dark, violent nature of the character. 3. **<마왕 선발전> (Demon King Selection Contest)**: Literal translation captures the context of a tournament-like scenario. 4. **<기간토마키아> (Gigantomachia)**: Retained as it is a direct reference to a mythological conflict with giants. 5. **마하나라카 (Mahanaraka)**: Transliterated as it is a fictional grand narrative within the story. 6. **멸살법 (Ways of Survival)**: Translated and referenced as the key skill or technique of Kim Dokja, significant within the narrative. 7. **전독시 (Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint)**: Title kept in the translation to maintain series reference. 8. **명동8가길 (Myeongdong 8-gil)**: Literal translation of a location in Seoul preserving cultural context. 9. **후암동 (Huam-dong)**, **남영동 (Namyeong-dong)**: Locations in Seoul preserved for setting authenticity. **Character Notes:** - **Jung Heewon**: Female Identity maintained as per the pronoun list. - **Lee Hyunsung, Lee Gilyoung, Shin Yoosung, Lee Jihye**: Female and male identities correctly reflected, tied to their backstories partially revealed or omitted in the story. **Additional Context:** - The skill 'Ways of Survival' automatically presenting details when certain actions or thoughts align hints at an interactive, predictive element, offering narrative depth. - Exploring regular places like Myeongdong and Huam-dong in a post-apocalyptic setting adds to the emotional weight of nostalgia vs. the current grim reality. **List Adjustments:** - None needed as the current translation and context align well with established terms and character identities. A brutalized apartment guard post, as if crushed by a passing tank. Shattered balcony windows, as though hit by artillery. Watching the curtains sway through the cracked glass, I pondered on the lost things. What happened to the people who originally lived here? Did they too endure the first scenario? If they did, did they have to kill their own families? Or did they knock on the neighbor's door, wielding a knife against their friends? I know not what tragedies unfolded here. Knowing terrifies me. [There is a ‘White Flag’ nearby.] Nonetheless, there’s a white flag here, and we must claim it. Only then can we survive tomorrow, and the day after. And perhaps witness the end of this damned world. "This is the place." Jung Heewon's home was on the fifth floor of the apartment. As she hesitated before the entrance, I offered, "There’s no need for you to go in." She mentioned disliking her family. But even those families, in the end, are still family. "Getting this far, Heewon, is already enough." Caught between redundant duty and guilt, Jung Heewon’s expression was one of wandering conflict. But then, a momentary resolve solidified on her face. "I'll check anyway." A strong person, indeed. She knocked a few times on the front door, then paused to muse over something. Raising the cover of the keypad, she began inputting the numbers. Beep beep beep beep. Beep beep beep beep. The door opened after about three attempts. "Still the same." The moment the door opened, the stale and humid air hit us—a scent of a house unventilated for over a week. Without removing her shoes, Jung Heewon strode in confidently, not bothering to see if anyone was there, or calling any names. I hesitated to follow but then relented, taking off my shoes at the entrance. Beside my shoes, neatly aligned rows of formal and casual footwear lay, reminiscent of stacked towels in a barracks room. I had an inkling that no one would be home. Jung Heewon returned with a slightly relieved expression, having already scoped the house. "Seems like neither of them was home." Is that fortunate, or is it unfortunate? I couldn’t tell. Neither could Jung Heewon, probably. The inhabitants of this place were unknown to me. Yet, it seemed they weren't the type to prepare meals at home. The kitchen held no food waste or garbage bags in sight. Standing by the living room window, Jung Heewon gazed briefly outside. "See those apartments across? We used to live there when I was young." “……” "Then we moved beyond there, to a hillside neighborhood on the other side. Even lived near the frontline post, then briefly in Yongsan. You see, military families frequently relocate." So her father was military. I remembered hearing similar tales from a childhood friend with a soldier dad. “Whenever their station changed, we'd transfer to a new neighborhood, tagging along with dad. Just as we'd start adapting, we'd move again, and again. After mom ran away, that cycle only hastened." Jung Heowon drew a circle on the dusty window with her finger. "Moving, they'd call it, but all these areas had the same vibe—near military installations, with a refugee-like air following soldier families around. Besides, since the land was typically cheap, properties weren't upscale. Places you’d hardly guess exist in Seoul… That's why I left. I got fed up with it.” Her finger ceased its tracing. "Fed up with those folks." She slowly turned her head to look beside her. On a low chest reaching calf height was a framed family photo. Inside, were a middle-aged man in military attire, a young Jung Heewon, and a boy who appeared to be her younger brother. Judging by the graduation cap, it was probably taken during the boy’s elementary school graduation. Jung Heewon extracted the photo from the frame. “But once I was out, I found society was no different.” Seeing her with that photo, I too was reminded of my parents' faces, unexpectedly. My parents were decent people. They were people I could only describe as genuinely good. "But Lee Hak Hyun did not yearn for them." Why? I didn't quite know. Perhaps it seemed strange that I was their offspring. Or maybe… "His life never quite felt like his own to him." Blame it on reading too many novels since childhood, perhaps. I spent my days reading books, writing stories. Living in a world of texts. A world of light and darkness ruled by dragons, swords, and magic. “Maybe because of that. Lee Hak Hyun always felt he was living another’s life.” In the black screen of the turned-off TV, the squinting eyes of Cheon Inho were reflected. A face not mine. Even now, I am living someone else's story. [The Constellation, 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire,' is peering into your face.] [The Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Constrictive Headband,' is curious about your thoughts.] [The Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' warns you to stop fooling around and go hunt more foes.] I placed my hand on the reflected visage on the screen. Was Cheon Inho, whom I’ve possessed now, ever someone’s child too? Did he have family? For the first time, I contemplated the life of the villain who ruined the 40th regression and vanished. Where had Cheon Inho's original 'soul' ended up? [The Constellation, 'Intriguing Schemer', feels pity towards you.] Eventually, Jung Heewon raised her head. "It’s enough. Let’s go. This isn’t why we came." I nodded. The messages that had been resonating in my ears since earlier—Jung Heewon would have also been hearing them. [A 'White Flag' is hidden nearby.] [As you approach its location, the interval of message dispatch shortens.] There is a 'White Flag' somewhere in this apartment. “It’s not in our house.” Indeed, it was not inside Jung Heewon's home. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **흰색 깃발 (White Flag)**: Retained literal translation; denotes an important object or goal essential for survival. **Character Insight:** - Jung Heewon: Portrayed as resilient and strong-minded, reflecting back on her upbringing and family connections which intertwine with her current motivations. **Contextual Insights:** - The contrast between the mundane memories of Jung Heewon's childhood and the current apocalyptic setting underscores the theme of loss and resilience. - Cheon Inho's presence and reflections emphasize the underlying narrative of identity exploration and existential pondering. **List Adjustments:** No adjustments needed based on the newly revealed content. The translation aligns with current character roles and previously established terminology. We gauged the location of the flag by measuring the intervals of the messages. With such proximity, the most likely suspect was... the apartment next door. “I think it’s this place.” Standing before the worn-out front door, we exchanged a glance. Jung Heewon was the first to speak. “Should we ring the doorbell? Or break it down?” “If someone was inside, they would've already claimed the flag. We wouldn’t be getting these messages.” “Is that so.” “But just in case…” “What do you say?” In unison, we pressed the doorbell of the empty apartment. Naturally, there was no response. Sharing a rueful smile, a thought struck me. Perhaps this gesture was our small grasp of humanity within this apocalypse. But then, in the next moment— Click. Someone from inside unlocked the door. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **초인종 (Doorbell)**: Translated directly, retaining its universal concept within a domestic setting, signifying the mundane amidst chaos. 2. **아포칼립스 (Apocalypse)**: Kept as 'apocalypse'; the universal term supports the story's end-of-world context. **Character Insight:** - **Jung Heewon**: Continues to showcase a mix of pragmatism and unforeseen empathy within her actions, reflective of her resilient nature amidst crises. **Contextual Insights:** - The sudden unlocking of the door, despite assumptions of an empty apartment, adds an unexpected twist, heightening suspense. - Emphasis on humanity is expressed through engaging in an otherwise unnecessary social norm, highlighting internal conflicts characters face in maintaining civility under duress. **List Adjustments:** No changes required as the current character roles and terminology within the translation remain consistent with those established earlier.