Side Story: Episode 18-1 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 18. Father (1) Episode 18. Father 「“My father's face? I can't remember it now. It feels like it was never there. But does it really matter? We have an uncle, don't we?”」 ― Shin Yoosung, Beast Lord. * I wanted to hear more about the situation from Yehyun-woo if possible, but the communication was suddenly cut off, leaving me without the chance to ask further. I headed straight to Gwanghwamun. Fortunately, Seoul Station and Gwanghwamun were only two subway stops apart. It was a distance one could easily cover in under thirty minutes. Grrrrrr... If only I hadn't encountered a pack of Groll in the middle. Kiiiing! I transformed 'Thoughts' into 'Broken Conviction' and activated the 'Blade of Conviction.' The ability to continuously regenerate this consumable item was a significant advantage of 'Thoughts.' Graaaah! With a swift swing of the Blade of Conviction, the Groll pack was quickly dealt with. It certainly felt like I had become stronger than before. Overall, my comprehensive abilities had rapidly increased, but the profound experience from treating Jeong Eun-ho played a big part. [The trait, 'Circulating Limbs' is activated!] Trait Circulating Limbs (循環肢體). This was an unexpected gain acquired while enduring the backlash with Jeong Eun-ho. Unfortunately, it's not a well-known martial trait like Heavenly Martial Limbs (天武肢體) or Taiji Yin-Yang Limbs (太極陰陽肢體), but in terms of enhancing magic circulation efficiency, it was a useful trait for me at this time. [The Constellation, 'Goryeo's First Sword,' is intrigued by your growth speed.] Thanks to the efficiency of Circulating Limbs, I could now maintain the Blade of Conviction at maximum output until 'Broken Conviction' was destroyed without running out of energy. After swiftly sweeping through the Groll pack, I looked around the surrounding alleyways and shouted in a loud voice. "Don't hold back, come out! You can take these!" Then, some incarnations hiding between the buildings and smoking booths timidly poked their heads out. When I put away my weapons, signaling reassurance, one relieved-looking incarnation approached and asked. "Is it really okay to take these?" He looked skeptically at the Groll parts. In the early scenarios, monster species were a very useful food source. Especially Groll horns, which, if processed, could be used to make rather decent weapons, making them a welcome monster to wanderers. "Yes. You can take them." "Thank you…." When the man gestured towards the back, three robust individuals appeared from somewhere and began quickly disassembling the Groll. Even while Kim Dokja and his companions were breaking through the main scenario, most incarnations were likely surviving in this manner. As I watched them disassemble the Groll, I pointed out several disassembly points mentioned in 'Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World.' "Here, you mean? Ah…!" The man nodded a few times, seemingly understanding my words quickly. As he looked at the neatly cut Groll horn, he remarked in awe. "You sure know a lot about monster species." "I've handled them a few times." On hearing this, the man seemed to consider something, hesitating for a moment before turning to the back and shouting. "Everyone, come out and greet him!" Apparently, the man's group was not just the three robust individuals. Soon, women and children, hesitatingly appearing, bowed their heads towards me. "Thank you!" They were all in disheveled states due to the harsh street life. I wondered if among them there might be a 'Reader.' I activated [Reader's Comment Log]. There was no Reader. Should I consider it fortunate? "May I ask your name?" "My name is Cheon Inho." "I'm Kim Nakmun. The people behind are my friends and cousins." "I see." Judging by their route, they seemed to be incarnations coming from the Gwanghwamun area. They might know something about what’s happening in Gwanghwamun. Kim Nakmun surveyed my appearance and cautiously asked in a tentative voice. "By any chance… are you a 'King'?" I was slightly surprised by his unexpected insight. "What makes you think so?" "Your skill in taking down the monsters and the fact that ordinary incarnations rarely travel alone. Most importantly… it seems you're headed toward Gwanghwamun." Could he deduce I was a 'King' from just that information? This man, he said his name was Kim Nakmun. No matter how I thought about it, he was not a character that appeared in ORV. 「Kim Nakmun the Insightful.」 Then the information from 'Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World' flowed naturally into my mind. 「Kim Nakmun, along with Bicheon Horri, acted as a strategist for Yoo Joonghyuk in some rounds.」 The text flowed through my mind like a scene. 「“Sorry, chief. I can’t join this time. I have to protect my family.”」 It seemed he was once Yoo Joonghyuk's subordinate in some timeline. In this timeline, his family affection might have been the reason he was not chosen by Yoo Joonghyuk. "You might not know, but many Kings are gathering at Gwanghwamun right now. We came from there too." As expected, the gathering of Kings had already begun. It made sense, given this world had many readers who knew the future. Probably, the Kings, having heard the information shared by the readers, were gathering one by one at Gwanghwamun. "This is just advice for you, but if possible, don't go there. The atmosphere at Gwanghwamun is not right." Kim Nakmun spoke with a trembling hand, as if fearing something. "A powerful king in the North has united the forces. That king plans to annihilate the other kings at once. It should be starting around now." A powerful king. The first name that came to my mind was Yoo Joonghyuk. "Is that king's name Yoo Joonghyuk?" "Yoo Joonghyuk…?" His expression suggested otherwise. Well, Yoo Joonghyuk adhered to solo play as a principle. Then who could it be? "Sorry, but I can't tell you the king's name…." It was then I noticed the faint purple sparks lingering on his body. They weren’t causality sparks. "Have you defected from the king's group?" Visible marks of 'Punishment' left all over his body. They were defectors who endured the penalties of 'Punishment' to leave the 'King's' group. The king must have placed a special restriction preventing defectors from mentioning his name. --- **New Terms:** 1. Groll (그롤): A monstrous species encountered by the protagonist. Given context, it appears to be a formidable adversary but a useful resource when defeated. There is no perfect translation, so the original term is maintained. 2. Kim Nakmun (김낙문): A newly introduced character representing an insightful and strategic mind, once associated with Yoo Joonghyuk. 3. Circulating Limbs (循環肢體): A trait affecting magic circulation, not as widely renowned as other martial traits, but practical for enhancing efficiency. 4. Insightful (통찰자): A descriptor for those with keen perception, here referring to Kim Nakmun. **Character Identifications:** - Kim Nakmun: Male character, identified and described based on his interaction with the protagonist. - Cheon Inho: Male protagonist in the passage, exhibiting leadership and discernment. **Contextual Notes:** - The translation retains character pronouns, adhering to their respective gender and narrative focus. - The story emphasizes the protagonist's moral compass, guiding others during challenging scenarios. - The interaction with Kim Nakmun provides insight into political dynamics within the narrative. - The text hints at broader conflicts involving the gathering of 'Kings,' portending larger scale conflicts within the plotline. **Suggestions for the List:** - Add 'Groll' as a recurring term for a monster species within the narrative. - Define 'Circulating Limbs' and similar martial traits that play significant roles in character development. As I quietly observed Kim Nakmun bowing his head, I gently initiated the conversation. “If you don’t have anywhere to go, try heading towards Seoul Station.” “Seoul Station?” Kim Nakmun quickly raised his head and asked me. “Are you, by any chance, the King of Seoul Station?” I shared my contact information with him—not precisely mine, but rather Cheon Inho’s—so he wouldn't be intimidated. “You can just mention that I sent you. Joining the group is not necessary if you're not inclined, but the people there won't turn you away unfairly.” Kim Nakmun hesitated briefly before bowing his head to express his gratitude. Kim Nakmun, the Insightful. Whether he would join the group at Seoul Station or not, I didn’t know. In any case, forming connections with characters from 'Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World' was not a bad idea. * Twenty minutes later, I safely arrived at Gwanghwamun. I marveled at the cityscape that was so reminiscent of my memories. Somehow, old memories of the time when I was 'Lee Hak Hyun' resurfaced. During my literature major days, I frequently visited the large bookstore in Gwanghwamun with my university peers. I wondered if any of my colleagues were reincarnated into this world. Chuckling bitterly alone, I shook my head. Probably not. I could still vividly recall their expressions when I mentioned writing a web novel. They wouldn’t have read it, and naturally, they wouldn't be here. Looking at the scene before me, I thought it might be a relief they weren’t here. Where once protesters and riot police had occupied Gwanghwamun Boulevard, it was now covered in the blood of incarnations and monsters. Vehicles lay wrecked and scattered along the boulevard, and uncollected corpses were a frequent sight. While many died at the hands of monsters, closer to the center of Gwanghwamun, bodies slain by weaponry were more prevalent. As I entered the path leading past the National Palace Museum, large tents began to catch my eye. Flags hastily put together fluttered in the wind above the tents, probably making these temporary quarters the centers of each King’s force. “What’s that guy up to?” Incarnations near the tents cast wary glances my way. True to Kim Nakmun’s words, the atmosphere was tense. Some of the incarnations seemed quite skilled, even at a glance. Perhaps it was due to the awakening of my Circulating Limbs trait, but I could somewhat sense the aura of the incarnations without needing to use [List of Characters]. Especially the incarnation sitting on the bench—that aura wasn’t ordinary. The huge bow slung over his back and the hwandos (Korean single-edged sword) at his waist. The moment our eyes met, I realized who he was. [The Constellation, 'Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol,' is watching you.] Chuwangin, the incarnation of Gyebaek. Originally an incarnation who lost his life to Kim Dokja in 'ORV,' he had luckily survived in this timeline. I continued examining the groups of Kings scattered about Gwanghwamun. Ji Eun Yoo was sure to be somewhere nearby. During the last ‘Banquet,’ we had promised to meet here. However, Gwanghwamun was vast, making me realize we should have set a specific meeting spot, like in front of a bookstore. Thinking of calling out to Ji Eun Yoo, a thought struck me—a password known only to us might work better. But what could be unique between us? After brief contemplation, I decided to call out. “…Genius Editor!” For reference, 'Genius Editor' was the nickname Ji Eun Yoo used during 'Kim Dokja’s Banquet.' Did my ruse work? From several groups, there were reactions to my shout. Among them was one group whose unusual response stood out. A man leading the group, with an intimidating expression, started speaking to me. “Hey there, buddy.” Feeling slightly apprehensive, I asked the man. “Ji Eun Yoo?” “Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Fortunately, it wasn’t Ji Eun Yoo. “It’s nothing. What do you want?” “Which group are you with?” “Seoul Station.” Upon hearing my answer, the man scrutinized my appearance, seeming surprised. “Seoul Station, huh. You mean the place with that beggar group.” The man lightly stroked his chin as if making a decision, then stated. “Why don’t you come under us? You seem like a defector. Our group can easily crush a place like Seoul Station.” “Who’s your group leader?” “It’s the Maitreya King. You've heard of him, right?” Maitreya King Cha Sangkyung. Of course, I know him. An incarnation of the ‘One-eyed Maitreya,’ and one of the 'Seven Kings of Seoul.' “What if I refuse?” “One more poor demon weakling added to the tally, I guess.” With menacing vigor, the man’s group surrounded me. If they couldn’t have it, they’d destroy it immediately. By the fourth scenario, it seemed most people were unbothered by things like murder. As I kept my distance from the man and his group, I slowly moved my hand towards ‘Thoughts,’ now shaped like a bracelet. In the past, I would have retreated promptly, but now, I didn’t feel the need to avoid conflict. At least for the moment, I was confident I could even fight and win against Kim Dokja of this era. Since we had reached the fourth scenario, making a decisive statement wasn’t a bad move. “Hey, hold up a second.” That was when a deep, robust voice cut through the men. The man who had been threatening me mumbled, “Who’s that?” and turned to look behind him. First, I saw a vividly fluttering purple flag. There were incarnations lined up as if protecting it. And alongside them, a mole cricket was darting around. The mole cricket, as if putting on a show, circled the incarnations, eventually snuggling up to the leg of a middle-aged man near the flag. Upon recognizing the man, the men threatening me scattered in fright, shouting. “Bald-headed King…!” Just hearing the king's name told one which group this was. When I enthusiastically waved my hand, Yehyun-woo, who was by the Bald-headed King, rushed towards me. “Inho!” The Chungmuro Group. Thankfully, our dear Reader seems to have safely secured a spot in Gwanghwamun. However. The moment I saw Yehyun-woo, a strange message arose. [‘List of Characters’ has been updated.] --- **New Terms:** 1. Cha Sangkyung (차상경): Sometimes referred to as the Maitreya King, a significant character in this timeline associated with one of the 'Seven Kings of Seoul'. He leads a powerful group and is known as the incarnation of the ‘One-eyed Maitreya.’ Literal translation would be used interchangeably without context of hierarchy. **Contextual Notes:** - The terms and interactions are deeply embedded within a narrative featuring shifting alliances and socio-political dynamics inherent in the world of its setting. - The description of Gwanghwamun visually contrasts past peaceful times and current turbulent states, underscoring the world’s transformation. - Characters react vividly to social status changes, marked by the presence or absence of authority and order. - Goryeo's First Sword and Last Hero of Hwangsanbeol are historical references to figures of resistance and valor, emphasizing their tactical and warrior spirit. - The use of "Genius Editor" stresses the unique personal connection between characters, highlighting past events and shared wells of understanding. [The information for the character has been updated.] [Would you like to check the information on this character?] Until now, using [List of Characters] on individuals possessed by readers had been impossible. “Inho, are you alright?” Yehyun-woo, now fully adapted to this world, held both my hands with a concerned expression. Yet, I couldn’t return the smile. When did this happen? [‘List of Characters’ is activated.] Yehyun-woo, once a mere fellow reader, had now become a character in the scenario as one of the Seven Apostles.