Side Story: Episode 19-5 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 19: The Old-Timer (5) At last, I acquired a new attribute. [A Legendary Grade attribute has been obtained!] And it was a Legendary Grade attribute no less. I murmured "attribute window" to myself. And almost instantly... [The current system error prevents the activation of the attribute window.] I recalled that my access to the attribute window was limited, just like Kim Dokja. [You have obtained the attribute, 'Record Repairer'!] Fortunately, the name of the newly acquired attribute surfaced immediately. 'Record Repairer.' It was an attribute I had never seen before. [The attribute, ‘Record Repairer,’ has activated!] ['Record Repairer' is affected by the 'Abolition' you have acquired.] ['Record Repairer' begins to repair your missing 'records’.] Repair my lost records? [Record repair will complete in 1 hour and 30 minutes.] I didn’t fully understand this, but it seemed something would change in an hour and a half. [Someone has noticed the birth of a new ‘Record Repairer’.] [The ‘Chroniclers of Dread’ have now recognized your existence.] A dubious message followed. As far as I knew, 'Chroniclers of Dread' referred to writers who recorded the divine aspects of otherworldly beings. But they’ve noticed me? Could it be that the 'Chroniclers of Dread' could see Incarnations like Constellations do? [Some 'Chroniclers of Dread' see your existence as a threat.] Threatening, me? I wasn't sure. Right now, the amount of information I could access was too limited. All I knew was that the people from Geumho Station who died in the third round survived in this one. "Inho! You’re alive!" "Ugh! Brother!" Shin Yoosung, her eyes now stripped of their golden hue, looked my way and asked. "Are they acquaintances?" I nodded lightly. Meanwhile, Bang Cheolsu was clinging to me annoyingly long. I lightly tapped the back of Bang Cheolsu's head where he buried his face in my arm. [Constellation, ‘Lord of the Small Fry’ has sponsored 100 coins.] Still the same. * As there were many stories accumulated, Bang Cheolsu clung to me while recounting all the incidents that had occurred. "So, suddenly the tunnel collapsed, and we couldn't reach you at Chungmuro. Oh, I really thought I’d die back then—" From the tunnel collapse to the unexpected scenario changes. Even from a loose hearing, it was evident they had faced significant hardships. Given the many variables of this round, it was remarkable these people had survived. While listening to Bang Cheolsu, I observed the people from Geumho Station watching us from afar. The first to catch my eye was the mother-daughter pair known as the 'Heartless Duo,' Daeyoung and her mother. Daeyoung’s mother. In the third round, she struggled desperately to save her daughter, only to end up as nourishment for 'Paradise.' "What’s your composite stat score?" "Not telling." "So, it’s lower than mine." Daeyoung and Shin Yoosung were engrossed in their chattering. I turned back to the still-talking Bang Cheolsu. "Brother, that's when I decided to teach those bastards a lesson—" [Constellation, ‘Lord of the Small Fry’ desires you to spend more time with his Incarnation.] I commented as I glanced at the banner tucked in his waistband. "Bang Cheolsu." "Yes?" "You became a king." Bang Cheolsu opened his mouth slightly in a startled "Ah" before scratching his head shyly and chuckling. "Well, if you wish, I can transfer the banner to you. I was keeping it for Your Highness anyway." I looked down at the banner Bang Cheolsu suddenly extended. Though the color was lighter than mine, it was a purple banner. If I took that banner, I could immediately achieve a 'Black Banner.' Then I would be able to complete the 'Path of the King' scenario and formally receive the 'King' attribute. Of course, that would be the easier path. However... "That’s yours to keep." I wasn’t inclined. [Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ questions why you're not accepting a free gift.] [Constellation, ‘Demon-Like Judge of Fire’ nods at your decision.] [Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’ admires your camaraderie.] [500 coins have been sponsored.] For reasons I couldn't comprehend, I didn’t want to take that banner. Perhaps it was because of the gazes from Daeyoung’s family and people watching Bang Cheolsu from afar. Or maybe it was a selfish desire as a creator. The longing to observe Bang Cheolsu and these people a little longer. "Brother..." Bang Cheolsu’s eyes were brimming with tears. [Constellation, ‘Lord of the Small Fry’ is moved by your noir-like spirit.] [500 coins have been sponsored.] Before the atmosphere could become more somber, I quickly waved my hand. “More importantly, tell me about the dungeon.” * Thirty minutes later, I stood at the entrance to the dungeon. [Would you like to enter the ‘Labyrinth’?] Even the entry notification was different from the main dungeon. "Is it true that there’s a ‘Star Stone’ in here?" In response to my question, Bang Cheolsu nodded. “Yes, definitely. I’ve even seen people gathering Star Stones.” "It’d be the Seoul Seven Kings, then." "Oh, how did you know?" It was obvious. Even in the main storyline, the only ones who obtained the ‘Star Stones’ here were the ‘Seoul Seven Kings.’ "No matter what, if you encounter the Seven Kings, you must avoid them. Those guys are no joke." "That’s true. They are, after all, ‘kings.’" This was not the third round but the forty-first. It was difficult to gauge how much the Seven Kings had grown. Still, retreating wasn’t an option. Whether it was the Seven Kings or The Misread Alliance in there, if I could gather the ‘Star Stones,’ I had to enter. The Star Stones were essential for summoning the ‘Scimitar of Final Judgment.’ “Brother, can’t you wait for us? We can enter again in just three hours.” “Three hours is too long. See you later.” It seemed this dungeon required a cooldown period for re-entry after exiting. Though it would be ideal to wait and enter alongside the Geumho Station group, there wasn’t the luxury of time. Based on my hunch, Kim Dokja and Uncle Dan-soo were also inside that dungeon. “I’m ready, uncle.” And thankfully, I wasn't going alone. "Are you really okay with this?" "Yes. I want to go too." Shin Yoosung said this, glancing back at Daeyoung, who was several steps away. I noticed Daeyoung with her eyes wide open, gesturing threateningly in our direction. "Daeyoung, don't do that!" When Daeyoung's mother spoke reprimandingly, Daeyoung pouted. Shin Yoosung quietly watched Daeyoung before she continued. "I need to become stronger so I won't be afraid when I meet scary adults." Was she perhaps inspired by seeing a peer her own age? Shin Yoosung's voice carried a certain resolve that seemed to ting a little sadness in me. "There is also a way to meet good adults." "Good adults die quickly." Hearing that phrase brought about a strange sense of déjà vu, and deep within my mind, a headache sparked once more. I gently massaged my temples, offering a piece of advice. "If it seems dangerous, you should escape immediately. Got it?" "Yes!" Though it pained me, it was true that Shin Yoosung's assistance was crucial in clearing the final chapter of the scenario. Did Kim Dokja always feel like this while being with Shin Yoosung? "Please be careful, brother!" Leaving behind the Geumho Station group bowing in unison, I entered the labyrinth with Shin Yoosung. [You have entered the ‘Star Labyrinth.’] As soon as the door opened, a corridor reminiscent of an underground prison unfolded before us. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any 'Newbie Hunters' like before. Still on alert, scouting my surroundings diligently, a string of system messages appeared. [A new ‘Sub Scenario’ has arrived!] + <Sub Scenario - Star Labyrinth> Classification: Sub Difficulty: A++ Clear Conditions: Explore the Star Labyrinth and acquire the hidden ‘Star Stones’. Time limit: ― Reward: 3,000 coins Failure: This scenario has no failure penalties. * There are special rules in this scenario. + Star Labyrinth, huh? I continued to read on to find out about the ‘special rules.’ + 1. The ‘Labyrinth Warden’ will appear in this labyrinth. + A warden? Is there a Minotaur or something? + 2. The labyrinth undergoes ‘Relocation’ every 3 hours, during which the entire labyrinth is engulfed in flames, altering the internal structure. 3. During ‘Relocation’, you can enter the ‘Safe Zone’ to avoid the flames. Upon entering the ‘Safe Zone’, you have the option to exit the labyrinth. + A timer appeared before my eyes. [1 hour and 54 minutes until the next labyrinth Relocation.] [Find a ‘Safe Zone’.] Even though it was intricate, the pattern itself wasn't overly complicated. As long as we found the 'Safe Zone' within the time limit, we could survive. The question was, how many more rules were there like this? + 4. Every Incarnation entering the labyrinth is given a ‘Dust Man.’ + A small dust-like entity appeared in the air above my head. With tiny eyes attached, the dust-like thing darted around, soon opening a small mouth to make a sound. "Twinkle twinkle" The creature circled above my head and started gobbling up glittering specks scattered on the ground like tiny fragments of gold dust. [Your ‘Dust Man’ has obtained 1 Star Dust.] Finally, I started grasping the rules of this ‘dungeon.’ "Wow, uncle! Look at this!" Soon enough, a tiny Dust Man appeared next to Shin Yoosung too. Twinkling away, the Dust Man circled around us, greedily opening its mouth whenever shiny specs popped up from the floor. [Your ‘Dust Man’ has obtained 1 Star Dust!] Seeing this scene, Shin Yoosung gaped. "I think I understand." + 5. When a ‘Dust Man’ collects a certain amount of ‘Star Dust’, it will produce a ‘Star Stone’. + Right on cue, the rules were revealed. Indeed, the dungeon's goal was to nurture the ‘Dust Man’ to earn a ‘Star Stone.’ + 6. ‘Dust Men’ in the same group can [Fuse] together. + Shin Yoosung asked, "Shall we combine them?" "Alright." We were in the same group anyway. There was no need to waste efficiency by raising multiple Dust Men. Upon selecting [Fuse], my Dust Man opened its mouth and devoured Shin Yoosung's Dust Man. [You have absorbed Incarnation ‘Shin Yoosung’s ‘Dust Man’.] [The ‘Dust Man’ of the Seoul Station group grows.] Maybe because the two Dust Men had merged, their speed in collecting Star Dust accelerated. "Let's keep moving." We proceeded cautiously, maintaining vigilance while exploring the labyrinth. Evidence of fierce combat lay in each path we walked. Scattered remnants of unhesitating stabbings and slashes marked the gruesome malice left behind, resembling stains on the corpses. Near those bodies lay the glitter of ‘Star Dust’ they had once collected. [Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ says it's finally getting interesting.] [Several Constellations anticipate your performance.] We picked up the Star Dust silently, as if we were recovering remains. Why did these people have to come to such a place and die? Most of them probably didn't even know what the ‘Scimitar of Final Judgment’ was. [A minority of Constellations click their tongues.] Or maybe, I did know why they died. They perished to become part of the story. "As expected, good adults die quickly." Turning to look aside, I found Shin Yoosung staring down at the face of a deceased woman. I, too, stopped beside Shin Yoosung, gazing down at the woman. A face I didn't recognize. I didn't know who this person was. I probably wouldn’t know in the future either. But Shin Yoosung seemed to know. "Is this someone you know?" "She tried to stop me when I was about to enter a solo dungeon." I placed a hand on Shin Yoosung's shoulder, who stood in a daze. "Yoosung." "Yes." "Are you alright?" After a moment of hesitation, Shin Yoosung nodded. Unable to read the expression on the child’s face, it was hard to tell if she really was okay. Nonetheless, at that moment, Shin Yoosung’s gaze held a profound depth. "People dying is something that existed long before the scenarios." "That's true, but..." "It just wasn't as noticeable in front of us." I hadn't expected to hear such words, and I was a bit taken aback. Shin Yoosung quickly waved her hands dismissively. "Sorry. I ended up saying something impudent. Sometimes, without realizing it, I say strange things." "No, I agree with you, Yoosung. Death was always there. It just wasn’t as blatant." Even before the scenarios began, people died. People killed one another. They slaughtered each other, using death as a talking point over drinks. It was a world where such chatter passed as normal, making it easy to believe it wasn't significant. "Do you have a religion, mister?" "No, I don’t." "Neither do I." In theory, given that any god could exist as a 'Constellation,' having a religion wouldn’t be strange. Yet, in such a world, I felt less inclined to believe in anything. "Do you think people have souls?" "They do." Perhaps it was because I answered so assuredly. Shin Yoosung’s eyes widened as she asked. "Then where do those souls go after they die?" "They go to the afterlife, I suppose." "Is there a scenario there too?" "There might be." "Then dying wouldn’t be much different from here." "In a certain sense, yes." At this, Shin Yoosung looked up at me intently. "But please, mister, don’t die." I nodded. "You too, Yoosung." In silence, we wished peace upon the woman’s soul. The ash falling to the ground resembled the dissipating spirit of the woman. [Your ‘Dust Man’ has collected over 100 Star Dust!] [Your health stat increases by 1 for the duration of ‘Star Labyrinth.’] Meanwhile, we were growing stronger in exchange for survival. Though we had encountered a few other Incarnations, they fled at the mere sight of my ‘Blade of Conviction.’ I was relieved, not having an inclination to kill anyone today. [Star Dust accumulated so far: 302] As we looked at the count surpassing 300, Shin Yoosung spoke. "Mister, at this rate—" "Don't say it’s smooth sailing." "What?" It was then that the Dust Man hovering in the air came to a halt. "Twinkle? Twinkle? Twinkle?" [There is almost no 'Star Dust' remaining in the current ‘Star Labyrinth.’] Damn it, as expected. The scenarios I know never proceed smoothly. [To acquire new 'Star Dust', hunt other Incarnations.] Ultimately, this ‘Labyrinth’ was a stage crafted to induce combat among Incarnations. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how many Incarnations we’d have to hunt to gather seven Star Stones. It was then that additional rules appeared. + 7. Incarnations who acquire a 'Star Stone' will experience a drastic increase in their total stats. 8. Each time a 'Star Stone' is acquired, the ‘Madness’ index increases. + ...Madness? "Twinkle! Twinkle! Twinkle!" Suddenly, the Dust Man above me began to tremble madly. The reason quickly became apparent. [An Incarnation possessing a 'Star Stone' is nearby.] "Mister." I nodded. A faint vibration was felt from the ground. Something was approaching us. 「One of the ‘Seoul Seven Kings’ is nearby.」 --- ### Translation Notes: 1. "종교" translated as "religion" - the word "종교" commonly refers to any organized system of beliefs regarding the divine or spiritual, which aligns with its English counterpart. 2. "별보석" translated as "Star Stone" - these items are a central focus in the scenario and their definition as objects that amplify power aligns with the term "Star" as a symbol of illumination and power. 3. "광기" translated as "Madness" - this captures the escalation of unstable, chaotic behavior associated with the increase in 'Madness' index, reflecting the psychological implications. 4. "신념의 칼날" interpreted as "Blade of Conviction" - captures the intent and steadfast determination associated with "신념" (conviction). 5. "서울 7왕" translated as "Seoul Seven Kings" - maintained as an important title indicative of power and status within the narrative world. ### Additional Context: - "더스트 맨" or "Dust Man" serves as a game-like mechanic within the world of the narrative, where collecting resources is essential for progression and power accumulation. - The discussion between characters on existential topics such as death and the afterlife highlights themes of omnipresent mortality and seeks to critique the absence of permanence in life, further supporting the story's tension against the backdrop of recurring life-or-death encounters.