Side Story: Episode 19-4 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 19. People from the Past (4) I quietly stared at the door that had formed at the edge of the waiting room. What should have been seven doors, was now only one. Was this the progression of the "Ways of Survival" 41st round, or had something changed due to the interventions of me and the readers? If it was the original progression of "Ways of Survival," the "Ways of Survival" skill should have activated by now. However, the skill remained silent. This implies that due to the readers' intervention, the scenario has been altered. 「Someone intentionally changed the course of events.」 But would any of the readers I know so recklessly intervene in the scenario? Dansoo ahjussi, Economic Man Yehyeonwoo, KillerKing, LiteratureGirl64, Gu Seon-ah, Kim Kyungsik... Even after calmly listing them out, I couldn't imagine any of them intervening in such a drastic transformation of the scenario. What readers possess more than the characters is 'information,' and they would not attempt excessive alterations of the future to actively utilize the original plot's progression. In conclusion, the readers are not the culprits. Then who would have altered the scenario and triggered the novel-event "Museum Collapse"? I hypothesized. 「Somewhere in this world, there may be people who don't want the scenario to unfold as 'originally' planned.」 What if there are individuals who find themselves increasingly disadvantaged if the plot of "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" is followed to its conclusion? Developing this hypothesis seemed to solidify the suspect's outline. However, I was not yet at a stage of certainty. "Ahjussi." Shin Yoosung clung to me with a trembling voice. The reason was plain to see. The waiting room floor was littered with so many bodies that there was hardly a place to step. It seemed a skirmish had already taken place. I carefully walked forward, keeping Shin Yoosung by my side, with a watchful eye on the faces that lay sprawled around us. I was afraid I might recognize someone among them. Dansoo ahjussi. Kim Kyungsik and Gu Seon-ah. And possessing someone unknown, my editor. A shiver ran down my spine momentarily. I instinctively ducked, shielding Shin Yoosung. Three daggers skimmed past my neck, embedding into the opposite side of the waiting room. Narrowing my eyes, I caught sight of assassins rising from among the corpses. "Tsk, missed." They were 'Newbie Hunters.' Instead of entering the dungeon, they hid in the waiting room to kill newcomers. There were similar characters in the 'main storyline of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' I, keeping Shin Yoosung hidden behind me, activated the Baekchung Sect's narrative. [A Narrative, 'Persistent Martial Arts Master' stutters out its story.] The acute intuition of the martial arts master coursed through me, transmitting the presence of hidden enemies amidst the corpses through my skin. There were more than twenty of them. Enough to count as a small 'group.' "Hey? That little one―" I noticed some of them whisper among themselves, seemingly recognizing Shin Yoosung. I asked Shin Yoosung in a low voice. "Are these people you know?" "Yes." A small tremor passed through me from Shin Yoosung, who was holding onto my sleeve. I asked once more. "These are people you'd rather not see, right?" The reply came after a slight pause. "...Yes." In preparation for any potential crisis, I switched my 'Consciousness' to 'Broken Conviction.' Meanwhile, the assassins exchanged quick thoughts among themselves. "Isn't it that kid?" "Did they really clear the dungeon alone?" "I told you. These kids are getting tougher." I see. These were the adults from the 'alliance' who were eager to recruit Shin Yoosung into their group. An assassin, who had been eyeing us, sheathed his dagger and stepped forward. "Do you belong to a group?" "I do." Admitting I was alone here would only egg them on. Despite acknowledging group affiliation, they seemed unfazed. "A group? Yet you came here alone?" "I'm confident in my skills." My response, intended as a provocation, surprised me as some assassins nodded in agreement. "If you've transitioned over with the child, you might be from the 'Solo Dungeon.'" "The Solo Dungeon's difficulty level is higher." "There's value in recruiting them." After swiftly reaching a mutual understanding, the leader of the assassins nodded. "We respect skilled individuals. Leave your current group and join ours." Shin Yoosung's words suddenly came to mind. The 'alliance' is all about meritocracy. "We'll take both you and the child. It seems you're quite close." The tone was almost benevolent. Squinting at him, I activated one of my skills. [Activating the exclusive skill, 'Character List'!] Not a 'reader' anyway. + <Character Summary Sheet> Name: Wi Jung-hoon Age: 35 Sponsor Star: Legendary Assassin Exclusive Attributes: Assassin (Common) Exclusive Skills: [Silent Attack Lv.3], [Stealth Hiding Lv.3], [Weapon Mastery Lv.2].... Stigmata: [One-Hit Kill Lv.1], [Shade Bullet Lv.2], [Shadow Stealth Lv.2] Overall Stats: [Health Lv.20], [Strength Lv.25], [Agility Lv.25], [Magic Lv.21] Overall Assessment: An Incarnation under the 'Alliance.' Operates as a taskforce leader for one of Seoul's Seven Kings. + A character I was unfamiliar with. Likely an extra from "Ways of Survival." Their sponsoring constellation... the Legendary Assassin. A constellation I hadn't encountered in 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' [Activating the exclusive skill, 'Three Ways To Survive in a Ruined World'!] Fortunately, the 'Ways of Survival' skill activated just in time. 「Legendary Assassin. The modifier sounds grand, but no constellation who has become a 'legendary' being lacks legends. Basically, just an average heroic-grade constellation.」 I see. 「A common sponsorship star among assassins, distributing sponsorships randomly to Incarnations like the 'Lord of the Small Fry,' then gathering them as assassins. Recruited incarnations are sometimes lent out to other constellations as mercenaries.」 I roughly grasped what type of sponsorship star it was. If it had been a narrative-grade constellation, I might have been more cautious, but with this level, I could act more boldly. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of joining your group." --- **New Translations:** 1. **'또렷해지는 기분이었다'** - Translated as 'seemed to solidify'. - Alternate: 'became clearer' - Literal: 'felt more distinct' 2. **'고개를 끄덕였다'** - Translated as 'nodded'. - Alternate: 'agreed' - Literal: 'bowed head' 3. **'배후성'** - Translated as 'Sponsor Star' - Alternate: 'Backing Constellation' - Literal: 'Behind-the-Star' **Context and Explanation:** - This passage highlights Kim Dokja's realization process about how someone, possibly beyond the narrative readers, is changing the events of "Ways of Survival", emphasizing the notion of reader knowledge versus active intervention. - The reference to 'Legendary Assassin' clarifies the type of constellation that Wi Jung-hoon is associated with and sets up the context for the type of characters and constellations present within this universe, applicable for narrative strategic decisions by the protagonist. - Terms like 'Newbie Hunters' and 'Solo Dungeon' contribute to the world-building elements, establishing the hostile competitive environment characters face. - 'Ways of Survival skill' refers to Kim Dokja's unique knowledge from having read the series, a consistent motif within the narrative structure. _No substantive changes to the previously established character name/pronoun list were required._ "We are part of the 'Seoul Seven Kings' group. Surely, you've heard of the Alliance?" The Alliance. Could it be that this group was the one Yehyeonwoo had mentioned? I nodded and asked, "This is where the Tyrant King is, right?" At the mention of the Tyrant King, the man subtly grimaced and replied, "We are under the Assassin King." Assassin King? I didn't recall such a name among the Seoul Seven Kings that I knew. "You don't seem to grasp the magnitude of this opportunity. We are about to reclaim the 'Sword of Calamity' and seize the 'Absolute Throne.' I don’t know which group you're part of, but at the moment, none rivals ours. You might want to make a wise decision." I nodded absentmindedly and responded, "I hear you, but I won't be joining your ranks. I have no intention of fighting, so please withdraw your men." I meant it, at least halfway. Navigating through the 'Hall of Consecution' had left me somewhat exhausted, and even for me, subduing around twenty assassins without injury was no simple feat. More importantly, 「If possible, I did not want to kill.」 Even when controlling oneself through [Instigation], there's a limit. Killing, regardless of the reason, is never a pleasant experience. I thought I was beginning to understand why the early Kim Dokja chose to become the 'King of No Killing.' Of course, the assassin, unaware of who Kim Dokja was, wasn't inclined to heed my words. "Then you die here." I smirked with slitted eyes. “Is there no room for negotiation? We are civilized people, after all.” "Civilization has already collapsed." Whoever was orchestrating the Alliance seemed to mold all its members into someone like Kim Namwoon. "I still consider myself a part of society." "Then die like a civilized person." I couldn't let that happen. I quickly calculated in my head. Should I use [Instigation]? Or should I start by eliminating that guy with 'Blade of Conviction'? A method to eliminate them in one go without harming Shin Yoosung. As I subtly tried to execute my hastily-formed plan, Shin Yoosung tugged on my sleeve. "Ahjussi." When I turned, I noticed a golden hue flickering in Shin Yoosung's eyes. A strange sensation flickered through my mind, accompanied by a headache. I remembered having experienced something similar before. “I'll just end this.” Why did it feel like at that moment Shin Yoosung wasn’t herself, as if she had become someone completely different? "End it... how?" "Just like―" A loud noise reverberated from inside the waiting room then. "Move aside!" From afar, the door to the waiting room swung open, and a crowd surged forward. “What in the―” With a booming sound, the heads of a couple of assassins burst open. Panic-stricken assassins screamed. “What, what is this?” The assassins drew their swords in disarray. However, with every gust of air slicing through, the number of assassins was rapidly dwindling. Alarmed assassins clung to the walls, shouting at the top of their lungs. "Who dares!" Through the shower of blood, a row of group members revealed themselves. Leading the group was a massive figure. On the giant's shoulder lay a gleaming steel pipe, clearly an item approaching S-grade. “Gangpae King!” Gangpae King? No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't recall a king with such a moniker. Which means. 「A character not in the main storyline of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.」 I watched the unfolding situation tensely. On closer look, a bloodstorm was raging from the right flank of the group as well. Four kitchen knives were slicing through the air in a zigzag motion. "Arghh! It's the Ruthless Mother-Daughter Duo!" Ruthless Mother-Daughter Duo. Another unfamiliar nickname. Their dazzling knife skills with a pair of cleavers in each hand emitted chills even just from a distance. But... what's this? The appearance of the mother and daughter looked familiar. "It's the Inho faction! The Inho faction is back!" Inho faction? "Aaaargh!" Several terrified assassins screamed, attempting to flee into the dungeon, but were cut down before they could. Now, there were fewer than five assassins left in the waiting room. The assassin who had threatened me earlier growled. “Gangpae King! We’re from the ‘Alliance.’ Do you think you’ll get away with this?” "If you're all dead, who will know what I did?" "There are witnesses to what you’re doing to us." Gangpae King's allies glanced around the edge of the waiting room. There stood a few Incarnations, who had been observing the situation by the campfire. "Are any of you going to speak?" To Gangpae King's question, the Incarnations simultaneously shook their heads. "We saw nothing." "You scum―" Before the flustered assassin could shout further, the steel pipe shattered his head to pieces. Watching the assassin fall helplessly, Gangpae King spat curses. “Augh, lousy bastards.” “Looks like they were bullying rookies again.” “The Alliance trash, doing the same things as always.” Honestly, I was surprised. The 'Alliance' was supposed to be the strongest force at this point. Yet there was a rebel group daring enough to challenge them as a single entity? At that moment, Gangpae King, who noticed us, swaggered over. “Are you alright?” It was hard to immediately recognize the face drenched in blood, but the roughly slicked-back hair of the man caught my eye. At a closer look, a bitter laugh escaped me. Of course. That's why it's the 'Inho faction.' "Huh?" Gangpae King, who had approached me, widened his eyes in surprise. My guess was incorrect—he wasn't a character absent from the 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' storyline. Because the man was someone I already knew. Someone who had changed the scenario, but wasn’t a 'reader' or part of the 'Misread Alliance.' In the 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' main storyline, he was just a minor villain, an extra who met a miserable end. "Hyung-nim?" I nodded, answering. "Bang Cheolsu." The taskforce leader of Geumho Station. [The constellation, 'Lord of the Small Fry' greets you warmly.] Familiar faces came rushing to greet me, among them Dayoung, her mother, and the rest of the Incarnations from Geumho Station. --- **New Translations:** 1. **폭군왕 (Tyrant King)** - Translated literally to 'Tyrant King.' - Alternate: 'Despot King' 2. **암살왕 (Assassin King)** - Translated to 'Assassin King.' - Context: A member or leader within the 'Seoul Seven Kings' not originally known to the protagonist, showcasing variations in constellations and power structures within the narrative. 3. **사인참사검 (Sword of Calamity)** - Translated to 'Sword of Calamity.' - Literal: 'Four-Seal Calamity Sword' 4. **절대 왕좌 (Absolute Throne)** - Directly translated as 'Absolute Throne.' - Context: An object or position of great power, as implied. 5. **깡패왕 (Gangpae King)** - Translated based on sound similarity rather than literal meaning because its literal translation as 'Hooligan King' doesn't encompass the apparent authority or threat level attributed in the context. 6. **인호파 (Inho faction)** - Directly transliterated as 'Inho faction.' - Context: A rebel group antagonistic to the Alliance, indicative of power struggles within the story's factions. 7. **무정모녀 (Ruthless Mother-Daughter Duo)** - Translated based on the title's connotation of fear and mystery. - Context: Symbolizes an unexpected and formidable alliance within the narrative. **Context and Explanation:** - This passage elucidates on the internal politics and groups within the novel setting, providing insight into the factions and their interactions with Kim Dokja. - The mention of various "Kings" implies a hierarchy within the antagonistic forces, showcasing the convoluted network of power and conflict. - The 'Sword of Calamity' and 'Absolute Throne' point toward larger stakes and goals within the narrative, critical for understanding the ambitions of the factions involved. - The appearance of familiar Incarnations from previous storylines strengthens narrative continuity and character development for Kim Dokja's allies. _No adjustments to the previous character and term list required based on this passage._ In the main storyline, these individuals who once only cared for their own survival, even killing each other, were now forming groups to help the weak. I suddenly realized that this 'story' was not the 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' I once knew. ["A new 'Dissolution' is recorded in ‘The Last Wall’."] Shin Yoosung, standing beside me, watched the same scene with a vacant gaze. “Hyung-nim! Ohhhh! You're alive!” “Inho Ahjussi!” Supporting Bang Cheolsu, who clung to me, and waving to the Dayoung and her mother on the other side, I pondered the narrative. “Do you know how much we've been searching for you?” I no longer believe, as my parents once claimed, that stories could bring about world peace. No matter how many interesting stories exist in the world, people will still go to war and foster hatred. But even so, the reason I continue with stories is that, [The constellation, ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ nods.] [The constellation, ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ comments that sometimes, such stories aren't bad.] [The constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ twitches his lips in agreement.] At least for someone, that story has the power to change them. [The 'Dissolution' you recorded brings forth a small fruition.] [You have acquired a new attribute!] --- **New Terms and Explanations:** 1. **‘최후의 벽’ (The Last Wall)** - Translated as 'The Last Wall.' - Context: This seems to signify a realm or a mental/emotional 'wall' where changes in reality or narrative events are recorded, representing evolution or adaptations of the world's stories. 2. **‘소실’ (Dissolution)** - Translated directly as 'Dissolution.' - Context: It seems to denote a concept or event within 'The Last Wall' where certain developments are acknowledged or chronicled, potentially linked to changes within the storyline or character development. 3. **황금머리띠의 죄수 (Prisoner of the Golden Headband)** - Previously listed as ‘The Prisoner of the Constrictive Headband.’ Adjusted for clarification based on context. **Context and Explanation:** - This passage highlights the transformation of characters who have evolved from mere survivalists to individuals capable of aiding others, indicating significant narrative growth and a divergence from the original plotline. - The mention of personal realizations about storytelling's impact suggests a meta-narrative discussion on the power of stories to enact change, even when broader societal conditions remain unaffected. - The moment highlights the protagonist's evolving understanding of the story’s role in influencing characters and circumstances, as acknowledged by various constellations. _No changes to previously established character/pronoun lists or terms were necessary, except for clarification in term translation._