Side Story: Episode 16-4 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 16. Butcher of Madness (4) The Disciple of Paradox shall willingly face defeat by the Beggar’s Union today. Those words summoned a heavy silence within the waiting area. A flicker of deep disturbance crossed the Thousand Eyes of the Youngdu Lord, and the beggars guarding the rear widened their eyes in astonishment. A spotted boy sitting beside me, holding his breath, looked up with curiosity. I still don’t entirely recognize the legitimacy of the ‘Beggar’s Union.’ Nevertheless, my heart wavered at the tale of these people. In this material, which was often misunderstood and discarded, I discovered a certain allure. As an author who has read, written, and quietly contributed to the narratives of this world, I felt an urge to capture their story, even if it were a mere sentence. After considering the meaning of my words for quite some time, the Youngdu Lord asked, “Willing defeat? What do you mean by that?” “A friendly match.” “A friendly match?” “Yes, in the Murim style.” The Youngdu Lord slowly tilted his head in understanding. “Are you implying you would allow us to win in this friendly match?” “I didn’t say that.” In response to my sly answer, the Youngdu Lord narrowed his eyes. But no matter how closely he scrutinized, he wouldn’t see through me. That’s the advantage of being a squinting character. “You are truly…” Just as the Youngdu Lord bit his lip and attempted to speak again, [Constellation, ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ remarks that this is an interesting suggestion.] Seoul's stars twinkled. [Constellation, ‘Twin-Heart Specialist’ sarcastically wonders if the great Beggar’s Union would reject this offer.] [Constellation, ‘Goryeo's First Sword’ is intrigued.] [Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’ feels nostalgia for the old martial arts.] [Constellation, ‘Bald-headed Militia Leader’ is delighted to witness the old Tappu Bongbeop.] [Constellation, ‘The Tiger Eating Rice Cakes’ confesses a past fondness for martial arts novels.] [The few Constellations who remember Murim yearn for a friendly match between the Beggar’s Union and the Baekchung Sect.] [A bounty scenario has arrived.] + <Bounty Scenario ― Nostalgia> Category: Sub Difficulty: C+ Clear Condition: Face and defeat ‘Beggar’s Union’ within the 8612 planetary system. Time Limit: 3 hours Reward: Lower-grade elixirs of Murim Failure: ― + I observed the emotional turmoil etched on the Youngdu Lord's face. A sense of returning to this dreadful game board, feeling exposed to the prying eyes of stars, and the ancient longing stemming from a long-forgotten tradition of friendly matches. The stage was set, and what remained was his decision. Like counting stars in the sky, the Youngdu Lord finally lifted his head and spoke. * In conclusion, the Youngdu Lord, Thousand Eyes, accepted the challenge for a friendly match. With Constellations eager enough to lay down a bounty scenario, there was no valid reason for him to refuse. “We will start in five minutes.” While the beggars moved tables and chairs to the side of the waiting area, I reread the bounty scenario I had received. Normally a scenario I wouldn’t deeply concern myself with, this time the reward for completion was crucial. The reward for fulfilling the bounty scenario was a ‘lower-grade elixir’. The issue lay in how ‘lower-grade’ this ‘lower-grade’ elixir was. If it were something of inferior concoction like a heavily diluted demon pellet, it wouldn’t serve to rejuvenate Jung Eunho. 「The Beggar’s Union Lord likely has hidden stock of quality elixir.」 Consuming an elixir to secure a certain level of energy at the beginning of a scenario was a classic trope in martial arts tales. The challenge lay in acquiring the elixir from him, a far more complex task than merely defeating the Beggar’s Union. What would Kim Dokja have done in this situation? He would probably weave another plausible lie, securing benefits, leading the Beggar’s Union to a downfall of its own making. [Constellation, ‘Intriguing Schemer’ eagerly anticipates your strategy.] I am not Kim Dokja. I lack the confidence to achieve such feats. I am writer Lee Hak Hyun, and I must solve this in a manner fitting of Lee Hak Hyun. “Well done, well done.” Startled, I turned around to see Jung Munho Elder lingering with repeated praise. “Dokja.” Feeling a keen opportunity, I called out to him. Startled, Jung Munho Elder turned to me. “Yes.” He appeared like a private, tightly held in check. “I might need your assistance.” “You mean playing the father’s role?” “Continue with that as well. I need something else this time.” “What…” “Are you good at fighting?” Sensing a bad omen, Jung Munho Elder hastily shook his head. “I’m terrible. Truly, at an abysmal level.” “That’s great then.” “What?” “We are holding a friendly match with the Beggar’s Union.” “And?” “I want you to be the first participant.” “No, but I’m not a fighter!” Placing a light hand on his bewildered shoulder, I reassured him. “It’s alright. You won’t die. It's a non-lethal friendly match, so don’t worry and try not to get hurt.” “But what if I lose—” “You can lose. Please do lose.” “What?” From afar, Jung Heewon, Jung Eunho, and Sergeant Kim's group approached. I exchanged a brief glance with Jung Heewon before surveying the waiting area. One by one, beggars drawn by the rumors gathered in the room. The Youngdu Lord, Thousand Eyes, stepped forward and declared. “Time to begin.” Finally, the preparations of the beggars were complete. A makeshift friendly match stage set up in the center of the waiting area. The judge ascended to the middle. The friendly match was truly about to commence. “Three participants from each side. It’s a best of three. First to two victories wins. Any objections?” “None.” “You will regret this.” I smiled silently. The Beggar’s Union will give it their all. To defeat the esteemed disciple of Kyrgios and reclaim their pride from the past. “You’ll soon find out.” “Our first participant is one of the Four Hooks.” Four Hooks. So, those beggars behind the Lord were indeed the ‘Four Hooks’. “They don’t seem like the real Four Hooks.” “Ah, sharp indeed.” As one of the Four Hooks ascended the stage, Thousand Eyes remarked. --- **New Terms and Translations:** - **용두방주 (Youngdu Lord):** "Lord of Youngdu." Used to represent a high-ranking figure within the faction, exuding authority and mystique. - **천개의 눈동자 (Thousand Eyes):** "Thousand Eyes." A descriptor, possibly an epithet for the leader with an ever-watchful presence. - **사걸 (Four Hooks):** "Four Hooks." Referring to an elite subset of warriors within the Beggar’s Union, indicative of their prowess. - **타구봉법 (Tappu Bongbeop):** "Tappu Bongbeop." A traditional martial arts form preferred by old masters, associated with resilience and technique. In this passage, "Youngdu Lord" is interpreted as a dignified title best suited to encapsulate the leadership role, aligning with the existing references to authority in martial arts genres. "Thousand Eyes" is preserved as a symbolic title, reflecting deep observational abilities and is consistent with Korean expressions of vivid imagery. "Four Hooks," alternatively known as "사대문," specifically relates to skilled individuals of the faction, hence used for clarity. Tappu Bongbeop, a specific martial arts style, retains its original as it aligns with historic martial art foundations, reflecting ancient practice and significance. "He received the piece of the legend I had. I gave him the memories of Hu Feng-Gae(虛風丐), who was one of the Four Hooks." "You do know he's not the real Hu Feng-Gae." "I do." The Youngdu Lord nodded and paused before adding, "But if I believe he is, then he is the real Hu Feng-Gae." As the beggar acting as the referee raised his hand, Jung Munho Elder, our appointed starter, hesitantly climbed onto the dueling stage. “The first match begins now.” I was curious about what skills Jung Munho Elder possessed. After all, he is Jung Heewon's father. Surely, he must have at least one useful skill to have survived this long. "Wait, wait a moment. I wasn't planning to fight seriously—" The beggar, who had supposedly inherited Hu Feng-Gae’s memories, paid Jung Munho Elder’s protests no heed and rushed at him with rapid strides. "Wait! Time!" The staff swung swiftly, targeting Jung Munho Elder’s head. Alarmed, Jung Munho Elder frantically stepped back, waving his arms defensively. Sensing his opponent’s level, the beggar didn’t unleash a fierce assault. Instead, he toyed with him, striking only at painfully sensitive areas. “Argh! Aah!” With each hit, Jung Munho Elder leaped like a startled rabbit. The beggars chuckled at Jung Munho Elder’s one-sided beating. Sergeant Kim hurled insults at the laughers, while the opposite beggars gestured mockingly. I glanced over at Jung Heewon. She watched her father’s duel in silence. Her face devoid of particular emotions, ready to draw her sword at any moment, hand on the hilt. “Surrender! I surrender!” In less than a minute, Jung Munho Elder, his body bruised and battered, declared defeat. The referee raised his hand. "Match stopped! The Beggar’s Union wins the first duel!" As the beggar twirled his staff lightly toward the audience, the spectating beggars cheered. I jumped onto the stage to support the fallen Jung Munho Elder. “Are you alright?” “Urgh…” “I know you’re not hurt.” Jung Munho Elder gave me a look of grievance. Yet, he couldn’t avoid my eyes. In truth, he was barely scratched. Through the information provided by the ‘Ways of Survival’, I could infer what traits and skills he possessed. 「[Sturdy Body] trait with [Resilient Bone] skill.」 Indeed, there’s a reason this reader has survived until now. While his combat performance isn’t remarkable, his durability rivals even Lee Hyunsung. Just as I thought of him as truly Jung Heewon’s father, the words from ‘Ways of Survival’ resurfaced in my mind. 「In the 84th regression cycle, Yoo Joonghyuk muttered while observing the ‘Butcher of Madness’, unfazed after taking a hit from his sword. “You seem bulkier than the previous cycle. Perhaps you're someone else?” But he couldn’t be sure. Strangely, his [Sage’s Eye] didn’t work on that ‘Butcher of Madness’.」 Sensing my gaze, Jung Munho Elder asked, “Why, what is it?” “Nothing, nothing at all.” I assisted him to a bench and returned to the dueling stage. Already, the next participant awaited. “You’re the second one.” “The Youngdu Lord is the second?” The second participant was the Youngdu Lord himself. Naturally, he’s an opponent I’d rather not face. Judging by eyesight alone, he possesses a mightier Incarnation Body than me. Moreover, it seemed like he leveled up his stats before the fight, significantly boosting his overall capabilities. I forced myself to remain calm and asked, “How was the first match?” From the moment the first match started, I hadn’t taken my eyes off the Youngdu Lord’s every move. “You must be disappointed. This isn’t the kind of duel you were hoping for.” To a master of Murim like him, all this must have seemed like child’s play. “Expecting something was my first mistake.” But the Youngdu Lord wouldn’t know. Even this disappointment is an emotion intentionally woven into this ‘story’. “It can't be helped. With a weak Incarnation Body early in the scenario, one cannot fully replicate the form of martial arts.” “Of course.” “In light of this, how about we change the format for the second duel entirely?” “Change the format? How?” “Traditionally, there are duels in Murim where ‘no internal energy is used’. It’s a match purely to contest the form of martial arts.” [Constellation, ‘Lazy Dragon’ lends an ear to your story.] The Youngdu Lord widened his eyes as if he hadn’t expected such a proposal from me. “You’re quite knowledgeable about duels. Did Paradox teach you?” “I didn’t hear it from my master, but I’ve often heard that seasoned experts favor this style of duel.” Of course, it was nonsense. If I were a munchkin Incarnation who had taken elixirs from the start of the scenario, I’d naturally prefer an inner energy match. “How about it? With this fighting style, even a ‘weak Incarnation Body’ early in the scenario can contest the depth of martial arts.” I added a phrase that would evoke nostalgia in the Youngdu Lord. After some contemplation, the Youngdu Lord nodded. “Very well. I’ll accept your proposal. In this match, I won’t use internal energy.” As the referee’s hand started to rise slowly, I finished my internal preparations. In truth, my choice of an external martial duel was simple. If it was an internal energy match, I wouldn’t last even a few exchanges against the Youngdu Lord before losing quickly. [Strength Lv.25 → Strength Lv.40] [Strength Level has greatly increased!] [Agility Lv.25 → Agility Lv.40] [Agility Level has greatly increased!] [Stamina Lv.25 → Stamina Lv.40] [Stamina Level has greatly increased!] [Magic Power Lv.20 → Magic Power Lv.40] [Magic Power Level has greatly increased!] [A total of 36,500 coins have been used.] [You have achieved an astounding coin usage record!] [5,000 coins have been refunded.] --- **New Terms and Translations:** - **허풍개 (Hu Feng-Gae(虛風丐)):** "Hu Feng-Gae, The Empty Wind Beggar". A reference to an individual possibly legendary or mythical within the martial arts narrative. In this context, it symbolizes adopting an identity or persona that holds some power or legacy. - **사부님 (Master):** Referenced as "Master," indicating respect and the master-disciple relationship typical within martial arts stories. - **먼치킨 (Munchkin):** Derived from a term often used to describe an overpoweringly strong or over-leveled character in games or stories, used here to depict a hypothetical scenario. - **외공 비무 (External Martial Duel):** "External Martial Duel," a fight style focusing on sheer physicality rather than inner energy or mystical power. - **내공 (Internal Energy):** Pertains to spiritual or internal martial energy often tapped into in martial arts stories, contrasting with the more tangible external martial arts. - **내공전 (Inner Energy Match):** Specifically referring to duels that engage internal energy, a staple combat form in the martial arts world. - **먼치킨 화신 (Munchkin Incarnation):** A referring term for an exceedingly powerful version of an Incarnation, akin to a Munchkin archetype in gaming or narrative. This text captures a dance between narrative tension and cultural framing familiar in martial arts tales, with a nod to typical genre conventions. The terms are chosen to reflect the martial arts literature style ingrained in the original Korean text, preserving cultural nuances while introducing appropriate equivalents in an English context. However, when the contest is purely based on 'physical ability,' things change quite a bit. As if aware of my intentions, the Youngdu Lord smirked. “Do you think you can defeat me just because your overall stats have increased slightly?” “I’m aware. It won’t be easy with only this.” Even though I possess the [White Azure Gang Qi], the level of my skill is merely 1. However, since this isn't a contest of mystic energy called Inner Power, I do have a fair chance. Without the barrier of energy manipulation, I can mimic the 'depth' of the character I wish to embody more convincingly. [Exclusive Skill, ‘Incitement Lv.6’ activates to its extreme limit!] I slowly closed my eyes and thought of the character I wanted to embody. In the next moment, my awareness of the surroundings began to expand rapidly. I became conscious of Seoul Station, then the district of Yongsan where Seoul Station resides, then Seoul itself, and then the Korean Peninsula which holds Seoul. I became aware of the planet Earth that encompasses the Korean Peninsula. I conceived the solar system, then the galaxy, and dared to dream of the incomprehensible infinite cosmos. Within a pale blue dot smaller than dust, I imagined myself who imagines the infinite universe. “The smallest is the greatest.” As I slowly opened my eyes, the darkness of the cosmos receded. The Youngdu Lord was staring at me with a curious gaze. “You, could it be—” Perhaps at this moment, he is witnessing the apparition of a familiar man through me. “On that day, a man of very small stature appeared in front of the Beggar’s Union’s signboard of the Nine Great Sects.” “Is this the Beggar’s Union of the Nine Great Sects?” “The man, in a voice as lifeless as evaluating a miserably old tree, spoke.” “It looks more pathetic than I’ve heard.” From this moment on, I am Kyrgios Rodgraim, the Paradox of White Purity.