Side Story: Episode 16-5 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

**Episode 16: The Butcher of Madness (5)** Of course, claiming my identity as Kyrgios wouldn’t mean I’d be able to freely use Kyrgios’ techniques. [Incitement] was different from [Bookmark]. However, [Incitement] had advantages over [Bookmark]. 「‘Bookmark’ lets you borrow just one skill from a character, whereas ‘Incitement’ might allow you to become ‘that character’ entirely, depending on its use.」 As long as I could trick everyone into believing me. [Your exclusive skill ‘Incitement’ is being influenced by characteristics!] I summoned the image of ‘Kyrgios Rodgraim’. A dwarf born on the planet ‘Peace Land’. The strongest in <The First Murim>, and a transcendental being feared even by the stars. His strength became so immense that he couldn’t save his own homeland—a paradox’s White Azure(白靑).... With a splitting sensation, Kyrgios’ image in my mind blurred. Insufficient. The text alone was simply too scant to become ‘Kyrgios Rodgraim’. Luckily, I had the perfect material to expand my imagination. [Activating the exclusive skill, ‘Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World’!] [A synergy of skills is occurring!] [The effect of ‘Incitement’ rises sharply!] The passages of ‘Ways of Survival’ began to flood into my mind. The habits of Kyrgios, recorded in text; his mannerisms, hobbies, even things he himself wasn’t aware of. The expression he wore when angry, the gaze he had when looking at disciples, the look in his eyes when seriously practicing martial arts, and the smile he had when playing the viola alone from a high vantage point. 「Kyrgios Rodgraim.」 Every documented aspect of Kyrgios was reproduced in my mind and, what I understood of him, expressed through my being. 「Kyrgios unsheathed his sword silently.」 Regrettably, what I held wasn’t his exclusive equipment, the ‘Pure White Paradox’. [‘Contemplation of Almost Everything’ morphs into ‘Damaged Monk’s Staff.’] But for now, this was enough. 「On the day he made masters of the Nine Great Sects kneel, Kyrgios held a mere practice wooden sword.」 The dragon boat captain looked at me, and I looked at the captain in return. We lunged at each other nearly simultaneously. Clash! Two weapons collided in midair. The dragon boat captain, gripping an old striking stick, cocked his head and asked, “You possess an odd relic. From which star is the staff?” “A Korean Constellation known as the ‘Bald General’.” “Though the modifier is a bit odd, the relic is quite impressive.” [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ shrugs his shoulders.] [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ wipes his head.] “Show me the prowess of the White Azure.” The captain’s striking staff moved. Although he didn’t utilize any internal energy, a mysterious force flowed through the staff he swung. Battlestick Technique, Second Move. Head Striking Blow(當頭棒喝). The dragon boat captain’s exclusive martial art: Battlestick Technique. Originally, the first battlestick technique was developed specifically to fend off stray dogs. 「The beggars’ enemies were the dogs scavenging discarded food, so the beggars devised a martial art to effectively defend their bowls from the stray dogs.」 Spot! I twisted my body sharply, narrowly dodging the staff aimed at my head. “Not bad, but still clumsy.” The dragon boat captain’s eyes gleamed brightly. He thoroughly scrutinized each of my movements, evaluating every technique. I met that gaze with a bitter smile. As the power of [Incitement] spread through my body, vivid sentences emerged in my mind. 「A disciple of the White Azure Sect begins training with an iron bracelet the moment they join and learns the introductory swordsmanship exactly two years into their training.」 ‘ORV’ barely mentions any of Kyrgios’ exclusive martial arts. Only [White Azure Gang Qi] and [Complete Transformation] appear. This is because, having ascended to a transcendental status, forms were meaningless to him. However, before transcending forms, Kyrgios practiced a wide variety of martial arts. 「Introductory Swordsmanship, White Azure Sword Art(白靑劍法).」 I took a deep breath and thrust the staff. 「Simply aiming at one point in the universe.」 White Azure Sword Art, First Move. One Point(一點). At first glance, merely a simple thrust. Yet those who grasp the philosophy behind it would never call this a ‘mere thrust.’ For learning this thrust, the disciples of the White Azure Sect repeat the same training hundreds, perhaps thousands of times. Solely to master a single sensation. 「“It must truly feel like you’re placing a dot.”」 Marking a dot in the vast universe. 「“That way, your opponent won’t recognize the true nature of this technique.”」 Strength at a level of 40 compressed and let out a scream. A single point serves as both the beginning and end. The questioning of the universe in White Azure begins only upon this paradox. The captain’s eyes flickered as he faced the One Point. “Though imperfect, it’s undoubtedly the White Azure’s swordsmanship.” The captain rotated the battlestick as if he had been waiting for this. Even without using internal energy, shadows of the staff rose like clouds. Countless shadowy clouds smothered the faint light of One Point. A battlestick technique at its pinnacle. But the constellations seemed to think otherwise. [Constellation, ‘Heungmu the Great’ chuckles softly.] [Constellation, ‘Double Relationship Expert’ yawns at the tedious duel.] I know. To the constellations, our battle would seem like nothing more than a trivial play. For those who’ve mastered the mysteries of form, formulas are merely predetermined calculations. Yet, the dragon boat captain was dead serious. As though this insignificant duel was the life-or-death battle of a lifetime, he swung the battlestick with all his might. Battlestick Technique, Sixth Move. Striking the Dog Towards the Heavens(撥狗朝天). The battlestick, dragging along the ground, fiercely struck upward toward the heavens. Upon witnessing the technique, one thing was clear. Regardless of whether a dog, mole cricket, Groll, or the representative of another realm, any creature struck by his battlestick would surely meet its end. Subsequently, the captain, as if performing a trick, struck the fragmented floor tiles, sending them flying with his battlestick. Whizz! The fragments of the broken floor shot at me like sharp arrows. White Azure Sword Art, Fourth Move. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **소인종 (Dwarf)**: Translated as "dwarf" to refer to a small-sized species rather than a human child. 2. **피스 랜드 (Peace Land)**: Directly translated as is. 3. **제1 무림 (The First Murim)**: Directly translated as "The First Murim," indicates a powerful martial realm. 4. **백청(白靑) (White Azure)**: Used this translation to reflect the title's meaning, "White Azure(白靑)," which symbolizes purity and mystery. 5. **타구봉 (Battlestick)**: Translated based on its context—used for combat. 6. **용두방주 (Dragon Boat Captain)**: Translated as "dragon boat captain" to indicate status or position. 7. **백청문 (White Azure Sect)**: Directly translates to "White Azure Sect," the name of a martial school. 8. **발구조천 (Striking the Dog Towards the Heavens)**: Direct translation of the technique name to indicate its distinctive martial art style. 9. **성유물 (relic)**: Relatively standard term in fantasy/martial arts settings, indicating ancient or special items. The phrases involving constellations display a kind of higher-level spectator commentary on the duel, offering a broader perspective on the significance of the battle. The translation retains these as they capture the narrative's layered storytelling style, enhancing immersion. **Azure Wheel(靑輪).** A technique where the sword is grasped with both hands, revolving gently in a circle to sweep the surroundings—a defensive move of the White Azure Sect designed to fend off flying arrows. A few of the shards that weren't completely deflected grazed past my forearm and thigh rapidly. “This is pitiful. The martial arts of the White Azure Sect were not merely this.” Yet despite his words, a smile began to form at the corner of the captain's mouth. [Constellation, ‘Goryeo's First Sword’ looks intrigued.] [Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’ feels an inexplicable attraction in your battle.] The constellations in the sky were watching our fight. [Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ picks his nose, wondering why there's such excitement over a trivial fight.] [Constellation, ‘Heungmu the Great’ snorts.] Clearly, not everyone was favorable toward this duel. Nevertheless, there were indeed those who observed this chaotic fight. [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ cheers on your battle!] [Constellation, ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ is watching over you.] It newly dawns upon me how many stars exist in this world. There would likely never be a story to satisfy them all. But this story was never meant for them in the first place. [An undeciphered constellation is watching your story.] “Try to take this!” The staff and stick clashed continuously. In the seamless, flowing chain of attacks, I was pushed back with no time to even catch a breath. 「“Footwork is literally the method of walking. Where to step and where not to. Keep this in mind. In a step where you think nothing lies, life and death may play out for someone.”」 Amidst the rush of phrases from ‘Ways of Survival,’ I couldn’t ascertain whether they were Kyrgios’ words or those of a former White Azure Sect master. 「“What matters is understanding the weight of the step. The lightest can become the heaviest. This is the paradox of weight the White Azure speaks of.”」 Yet, I heard those steps, and I walked them. “It’s truly odd. Not at all the footwork of a trained person.” My awkward retreating footsteps were chaotic, yet they managed to dodge the captain’s battlestick. I swung the staff with all my might. It wasn’t about executing techniques flawlessly. Just as each sentence carries context, techniques merely serve as vessels for meaning to a martial artist. It’s akin to a finger pointing at the moon. The captain narrowed his eyes and remarked, “That’s a technique you shouldn’t be able to wield. Just who are you―?” Most of my techniques were failures. Understandably, my current level of [Incitement] couldn’t replicate Kyrgios’ abilities. The Kyrgios I read about was flawless, but my physical abilities were pitifully lacking. Yet, this gap was helpful at this moment. “Why―” The captain was now witnessing it. The man beyond my techniques. “No, he was faster. Heavier. More terrifying.” The captain muttered to himself, entranced, as he swung his battlestick at me. As my staff and his battlestick collided, it was as though I could hear the sound of keys typing somewhere. The trajectory of martial arms carving the air changed the world’s scenery. 「The man he longed to fight, existed beyond the technique.」 The captain, as if trying to catch the illusion, swung his battlestick madly, over and over. Despite the searing pain jolting through my shins and torso, I gritted my teeth and accepted his techniques. I wanted to preserve his illusion. A gleam of joy began to flutter on the captain's face. For an observer, it might seem like a terrible duel. With nowhere to escape, I lamely performed rolling dodges, caught myself on a stumbling weapon, devoid of fierce sword energy or flashy blade arts. But the duel playing out in the captain's mind was likely something altogether different. [Constellation, ‘Goryeo's First Sword’ absently opens his mouth.] [Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’ nods his head.] [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ doubts his own eyes.] Some stories only reveal themselves to those who understand the context. To some, a sentence means nothing, but to others, it paints a landscape full of longing. [Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ wonders what everyone else is seeing.] The utterly entranced captain muttered like a madman. “Were you there, Kyrgios?” 「Then, Kyrgios’ sword cleaved the sky.」 This fight, unfolding here, was a fantasy woven with lies. 「The captain’s battlestick hammered the ground in response.」 Yet the moment the captain believed in it, it became reality. [Constellation, ‘Goryeo's First Sword’ raises a clenched fist.] [Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’ exhales a rueful sigh.] [Constellation, ‘The Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol’ becomes absorbed in the duel.] [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ gasps for breath.] [Constellation, ‘Heungmu the Great’ unwillingly bites his lip.] The martial artists who once roamed the battlefield, gripping their weapons, watched our fight silently. They recognized this story as a falsehood. There was no Kyrgios here; the Beggar’s Union had fallen, and the Murim was no longer grand. 「Dragon Boat Captain Cheonyeo’s Murim had already vanished from the world.」 Nevertheless, certain stars who once lived as martial artists recalled their own memories from our fight. I could feel their emotions amidst the flickering starlights. They envied. They genuinely envied Dragon Boat Captain Cheonyeo, who relinquished everything and descended to the ground to experience this story directly. [Constellation, ‘Goryeo's First Sword’ sponsors 100 coins.] [Constellation, ‘Bald General’ sponsors 100 coins.] [Constellation, ‘The Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol’ sponsors 100 coins.] The stars had limited influence, only able to support this fight. [Constellation, ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ sponsors 100 coins, claiming he sees something too.] [Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ chides, wondering how he could see anything.] “Come! Kyrgios!” --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **Azure Wheel(靑輪) (청륜)**: Direct translation of this defensive technique, emphasizing the color "azure" and the motion "wheel." 2. **보법 (Footwork)**: Translated to "Footwork," reflecting its literal meaning related to movement during martial combat. 3. **상념 (Contemplation)**: Used poetically to denote deep reflection, fitting the narrative’s stylistic tone. 4. **The Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol**: Translation of historical reference into a constellation name. "Hwangsanbeol" refers to a historically significant battle in Korean history. 5. **별빛 (Starlight)**: Represents the gaze or the influence of the constellations watching over the characters, contributing to the celestial theme. In this passage, the narrative weaves a poetic imagery of martial arts, fantasy, and the evocative power of belief. The characters evoke the past and their inner conflicts through combat, offering a layered storytelling experience that resonates with those attuned to its history and metaphors. The captain's final technique unfolded, and I, too, marshaled all my strength to swing the staff in retaliation. With a resounding crunch, the captain's battlestick snapped. Simultaneously, the mimicry of my staff was released. Breathing heavily, we looked at each other. Having used no magic, each breath was labored. As [Incitement] dissipated, the physical backlash surged through me. [‘Incitement’ is being released.] The captain staggered, gazing at me. His dream-like eyes returned to reality. As the Murim landscape dissipated, the truth of the story was laid bare for all to see. Kyrgios, who had once taken his breath away, was not there. The Murim that had made him dream again, his season, was now gone forever. “You are...” What remained here was a solitary star unable to forget past regrets. And a meager story that wouldn’t even become a legend. “You’re not a disciple of the White Azure Sect.” A single sweet story written just for him. The star, awakened from its fierce dream, wept like a child. “Why have you shown me such a scenery?” --- **Translation Notes:** 1. **죽장 (Staff)**: The traditional tool wielded during combat. When "mimicry" is lifted, it returns to its original and less-specialized state. 2. **Dream-like eyes (꿈을 꾸는 듯한 눈빛)**: Denotes the captain's longing for the past, which was vividly portrayed in his gaze during the duel. 3. **Murim (무림)**: A martial world filled with grand legends and martial artists, spelling out the nostalgia and fantasy encapsulated in the battle. 4. **흐르다 (Dissipate)**: Contextually used for both the landscape of Murim and the captain's surroundings vanishing as reality sets in. The themes of reality versus illusion, nostalgia, and the ephemerality of dreams are prominent. The language captures the emotional gravity of the story, touching upon the fleeting nature of once vivid and enchanting possibilities that gave purpose and meaning, much like an ephemeral dream.