Side Story: Episode 16-1 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 16. Madness's Butcher (1) Episode 16. Madness's Butcher 「“I am not the Madness's Butcher. But someone must wear this mask. Because that is what people desire.”」 ―Madness's Butcher * To get straight to the point, my companions and I entered Seoul Station without any hindrance. The building of Seoul Station, wide and spacious, had its central part collapsed with the ceiling entirely exposed to the sky. Perhaps it was the work of a flying monster, or something had fallen from above. “Let's have a word.” Leading us was the newly appointed strategist of the Beggar’s Union, Jung Heewon's father, Jung Moonho. He left the rest of my companions in a shelter and guided me to a small room inside it. “You must've had quite an ordeal coming here.” “Not really, it’s fine.” I'm still not sure if my bluff about being a disciple of Baekcheongmun worked or not. What is certain, however, is that just before the clash with the Beggar’s Union, Jung Moonho mediated between us and them. “I haven't mentioned the ‘disciple of Baekcheongmun’ part to the higher-ups.” Jung Moonho nervously glanced outside before continuing. “Such actions would truly lead to war. You know this.” A real war, indeed. I didn’t know who Jung Moonho truly was. But through this, I've gained a bit of insight into who our reader might be. [Activating exclusive skill, 'Reader Comment Overview'!] + ID: rhwkd1123 Platform: Serious Total Comments: 2 Reader Level: 4 Completion Count: 1 + As expected. Jung Heewon's father was a ‘reader.’ And he was a reader who had completed the novel only once. Having seen monsters like Killer King and Ye Hyunwoo, a one-time reader now feels endearing. Well, let’s see what he wrote in his comments. With just two comments, it wasn’t hard to check. + Going to enlist soon, but can I finish it all... ―Likes 0 / Dislikes 0 (Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Episode 1) + Wow. He started the novel right before enlisting? So, was he possessed by the novel just before his enlistment? Though I felt a bit sorry, on second thought, it’s still better than being possessed just before discharge. I read the next comment. + Read the novel because of a girl I like. Planning to confess tomorrow. ―Likes 4 / Dislikes 3 (Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Episode 551) + I got a rough idea of his situation. In summary, it’s like ‘was planning to confess to a girl he liked right before enlistment, but got possessed by the novel she was reading.’ “War has already begun, hasn’t it?” Regrettably, the world he found himself in was not one suited for such innocent, romantic narratives. “Capture the Flag is that type of scenario. People won’t hesitate to harm each other. They'll do anything to obtain what they desire. It's a world where such actions are permissible.” As I spoke those words, I realized how much I’d changed in this short time. Just three scenarios had already transformed me. Now, I could state the harsh reality without employing [Instigation], just like Cheon Inho. “Powerful groups will exploit the weaker ones. The defeated will be subjugated. Death will be constant, and the scenarios will flow. Some may become kings; the fortunate might become those shining stars in the sky.” [The Constellation, ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’, asserts that this is exactly what a scenario entails.] [The Constellation, ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’, insists that anyone can rise if they never give up.] [A Constellation who has not yet revealed their Modifier smiles bitterly.] To the stars who have lived the scenario's life, this logic is commonsensical. But to a reader who lived in peace until a month ago, it’s anything but. “I, I can’t anymore. I can’t witness more people dying. This, this is beyond absurd.” Jung Moonho must have witnessed his subordinates being mercilessly defeated by powerful members of the Beggar’s Union right before his eyes. He must’ve felt death looming nearby and struggled to survive. He made unwanted choices. “Did you hide within the Beggar’s Union out of fear?” “It wasn’t because I wanted to... I...” Jung Moonho grasped his shoulders as he trembled. I watched him silently before speaking. “Why don’t you tell me what you truly wish to say?” “Pardon?” “You went to the trouble of activating [Soundproofing], didn’t you? You must have something else you want to express.” [‘Soundproofing’ is active in this space.] He surely had something he needed to tell me before the Beggar’s Union’s leader caught wind of the situation. Jung Moonho stared blankly at me, then tears began to stream down his face. A bit flustered, I said, “Please, don’t cry.” “Do you know how challenging it’s been for me?” Not every reader adapts as remarkably to this world as Killer King or Ye Hyunwoo. There were likely many more readers than them, and most probably did not survive. Those who did are probably in a state like Jung Moonho before me. Swallowing back his sobs, Jung Moonho asked in a trembling voice, “A-are you Kim Dokja?” “Pardon?” In that moment, I realized what misconception he had made. Wait a minute. But how could he mistake me for him? I hadn't used any [Instigation], nor had I employed ‘Transformative Camouflage.’ “I, I recognized you from afar. The white coat, those subtly smiling eyes! And then the courage of claiming to be a disciple of Baekcheongmun...” “Uh...” “You don’t look exactly like the one on the cover, but book covers often diverge from reality, don’t they? But was your hair always such a vibrant color?” Seeing Jung Moonho’s earnest eyes, I realized the state he was in. 「It was obvious to anyone that I was not ‘Kim Dokja’.」 Though my hairstyle and looks were different, and while my speaking style and attire might be similar, it would be easy to see that I was not Kim Dokja with just a little observation. No true reader of the novel would have mistaken it. 「But Jung Moonho thought I was Kim Dokja.」 To be more precise, he decided to think that way. To him, I had to be ‘Kim Dokja.’ Being abruptly thrust into this world by possession, he lost the world he lived in and witnessed countless deaths. He lost his subordinates and even abandoned children who called him father. He betrayed his remaining companions to survive and surrendered to the enemy forces. Though his life was somehow hanging by a thread, it was reaching its limit. His inner world had completely collapsed, and he needed someone to tell him that all the tragedies surrounding him were ‘not real.’ Someone to tell him he was not at fault, so it was time to leave this dreadful nightmare behind. He wanted to hear those magical words from ‘Kim Dokja.’ I looked at my reader and slowly began to speak. “Mr. Jung Moonho. Please listen carefully to what I am about to say.” Instead of declaring I wasn't Kim Dokja, I gave Jung Moonho a brief explanation of what was occurring in this world. It seemed he was clueless about everything. “There are other readers who’ve possessed characters in this novel, besides me?” His eyes widened as he muttered ‘Young-in’ in a dazed voice and then abruptly raised his head to ask. “Then have you met other readers?” “Of course. Weren’t you also invited to the ‘Kim Dokja’s Banquet’?” “What banquet?” “You know, the one hosted by ‘Kim Dokja’s Representative’...” “Kim Dokja’s Representative? What’s that? What does Kim Dokja represent?” By his expression, it didn’t seem like he was lying. Perhaps there were readers who weren't invited to that banquet, I thought, as Jung Moonho suddenly exclaimed quietly. “Come to think of it, I once dreamt of suddenly going to a movie theater...” Was he summoned while he was asleep? “Could all those dreams be…” “No, they weren’t mere dreams.” Jung Moonho, pale-faced, touched his own face. “Then what happens to me now? Am I stuck living like this? Growing old and dying as a military man?” Watching Jung Moonho cry his eyes out tugged at my heart with pity. If someone were to ask if this person was entirely innocent, I wouldn’t firmly nod in agreement. After all, he had killed people and even abandoned Jung Heewon's sibling and run away... “I, I now….” I held onto the collapsing shoulders of Jung Moonho. “Please come to your senses. Stop crying.” “Yes, yes.” “Mr. Jung Moonho, listen carefully to what I am about to say.” I am not Kim Dokja. Hence, I couldn’t achieve what Kim Dokja did. “A storm of violence will soon break out within this station. Dialogue might prevent it, but the chances are quite slim.” However, at the very least, perhaps I could save one reader in distress. “Are you going to fight? But it’s still the beginning. You’re not even a Constellation yet. The Beggar’s Union leader is incredibly strong.” “I’ll handle that, so please don’t worry.” Looking into Jung Moonho’s wavering eyes, I activated [Instigation]. “Mr. Jung Moonho, there’s no need for you to fight anymore. No need to harm others or oppose monsters. You just need to perform one role.” “W-what role is that?” “Father to Jung Heewon and Jung Eunho.” Jung Moonho froze at my words. Precisely 10 seconds later, he was startled. “Is-is that true? Jung Heewon? The ‘Judge of Demonic Annihilation’?” It seemed he truly was unaware of anything. “Yes, it’s that Jung Heewon.” “Then what should I do now?” Perhaps this iteration's Jung Moonho was destined to be beaten to death by Jung Heewon’s wooden sword. But fortunately, this ‘Jung Moonho’ is a fake, and precisely because he’s fake, there are things he can do. “Just strive to become a ‘good father.’” Jung Moonho wore a puzzled expression. “A good father?” “Yes.” “How do I do that? I’ve never been married and don’t have kids...” A good father... I don’t know either. Such stories aren’t properly covered in ‘Ways of Survival’ or ‘Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.’ Therefore, I recalled the ‘Lee Hak Hyun’ days. The people who helped me adapt to reality and live as ‘Author Lee Hak Hyun.’ Those who nurtured a child’s fantasies into tangible works, my parents. “Praise them for everything they do.” * While Jung Moonho practiced saying “Well done” to the air, an uneasy atmosphere began to pervade Seoul Station. Judging by the whispers here and there, it felt like something was about to occur. One of the Beggar’s Union disciples loitering in the distance approached and asked. “Are you a disciple of that place, Baekcheongmun or whatever?” Jung Moonho went as white as a sheet at the question. The story I told, which he hadn’t reported, seemed already to have spread among the beggars. As expected of the Beggar’s Union, it truly is the sect with the greatest information network in Jianghu. “Please follow me. The leader wishes to see you.”