Side Story: Episode 20-5 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

**Episode 20. Reader (5)** * No Kyunghwan advanced, one step at a time. With no vision to guide him, the world around was enveloped in perfect darkness. As he extended his foot into even deeper shadows, No Kyunghwan mumbled, "What kind of scenery is it now?" He hadn't really expected a response. Yet, someone replied. ― It's a field of flowers, mister. The voice was so distant that he couldn't discern whose it was. Hearing the voice, No Kyunghwan imagined the unseen scenery. Flowers began to bloom one by one in the darkness. Fields of red spider lilies blooming extravagantly in all directions. These were flowers meant to kill him. No Kyunghwan spoke. "It's beautiful." He thought about his wife, who had died in a meteor strike. Dying while thinking of his wife, who perished in a field of flowers. If his life were a novel, perhaps this was where his final sentence would be written. A novel. He recalled a novel his daughter loved. If only this too could be a story. He would wish for his daughter to laugh when reading it one day. If he could see her smile and say, "Look, your father appeared in the novel you love." No Kyunghwan gave a bitter smile. His daughter, Ji-yoon, had probably died. Just like his wife, she must have perished in this seemingly unreal story. He contemplated his daughter's final moments. How painful and lonely it must have been. Gathering strength, No Kyunghwan moved once more. Soon he would meet his wife and daughter. First, however, the story of 'Lee Dansoo' had to end. "I am Lee Dansoo." The name he had received in this new world. What kind of life did the original owner of this body live? He didn't know. But now, the body had reached its limit, and his consciousness was fading. Likely due to excessive blood loss. [The power of the Star Gem is fortifying your body.] Had there not been the one remaining Star Gem, he would have collapsed long ago. The breathing of the Lesser Dragon was growing closer. The dizzying scent of flowers lingered at his nose. Lee Dansoo recalled the name of a certain man one last time. "I'm sorry, Inho." And at that moment, ― Mister. The voice became clearer. ― It seems you can hear me now. The voice that had earlier described this place as a 'field of flowers.' Lee Dansoo recognized its owner. "Inho?" I responded. ― Yes, it's me. Even knowing that Dansoo couldn't see, he looked around. His voice trembled. "How did you wake up? You shouldn't be here. If you don't return to the platform―" ― I am safe. Right now, you are what matters, mister. "I'm done now." The voice of someone who had already let go of life. Dansoo's eyes were blind, and his body was necrotic. The muscles of his limbs were falling off in chunks. Yet the reason he wanted to give up on life wasn't because of his crippled body. "Why is the world so cruel to only me?" I didn't know what to say. What would Yoo Joonghyuk have said? 「"There was a boy who died as soon as the scenario started. Are you more unfortunate than that boy, or is he more unfortunate than you? What does it mean to compare misfortunes in this world?"」 How would Han Sooyoung have responded? 「"All misfortunes are ordinary. They only seem special because they're captured in a story."」 But I couldn't speak to him as they would have. What Dansoo needed weren't those kinds of words. "I no longer wish to live." Wishing for Dansoo to keep living was merely my selfish desire, because I liked him. ― Mister. I knew as well. Even if he survived, Dansoo's misfortune wouldn't disappear. He would have to endure life. He would have to live in a world without his wife and daughter. What significance did that hold for him? Could I provide that meaning for him? Was it my place to do so? Even with these thoughts, I couldn't suppress the impulse. 「I want to write a story.」 From the anonymous theater, I wanted to show the next part of the story to the readers who, like me, wished for Dansoo to survive. I began to write a sentence. 「What kind of person was Dad?」 Dansoo shuddered as he looked up at the void. 「Mom died from a meteor, and Dad had cancer.」 His lips moved tensely several times. 「Are we a cursed family?」 Even though he couldn't see anything, the sentence would be heard by Dansoo. "What was that just now...?" Dansoo stammered, unable to believe it, and asked, "Is that Ji-yoon?" ― Yes. "Is Ji-yoon alive?" I hesitated to answer. Answering truthfully would strip Dansoo of his last hope. But if I lied, would it be a forgivable lie? I blinked slowly. Then, rather than considering truth or lies, I thought about one person's heart. 「"Please save Dad, Kim Dokja."」 The heart of a daughter wishing for her father's survival. I pondered the sentence to convey that wish. ― Yes. This world is the <Star Stream>. A world created together by writers, readers, and characters. Where even the resurrection of the dead, turning back time, and being born as someone else are possible. At least in this world ― Yes, she is alive. It was not a lie. ― But for that, mister, you must survive first. Spores were rapidly spreading in the air. It wouldn't take even 30 seconds before the entire area was covered. "But, how―" Dansoo's voice grew anxious. Calming my breath, I possessed Dansoo's body as if diving into the ocean. [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint 'Stage 3' is strongly activated!] Dansoo's eyes shone brightly. Where his eyes had disappeared, pupils formed in radiant clusters. "I can see!" They were my eyes. ― Run! Dansoo and I ran, avoiding the spores. We continued to sprint, taking care not to step on the flower buds on the ground. ― Coat! **Notes on Unique Terms:** 1. **Star Gem (별보석)**: A mythical or potentially magical gem with life-enhancing properties. 2. **Lesser Dragon**: A type of dragon, likely perceived as weak compared to greater ones but nonetheless threatening. 3. **Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (전지적 독자 시점)**: A special ability related to narrative perception and insight. 4. **Spores**: Described as a rapidly spreading, potentially hazardous element in the environment. **Suggestions for the List:** - No context change was needed for known terms, but the introduction of "Star Gem" adds to the mythological elements referenced earlier in the chapter. - The narrative's style conveys a sense of melancholic beauty, contrasting the impending danger with serene imagery, such as fields of red spider lilies and the repeated use of the literary theme. Uncle picked up the coat from the ground. It was my white coat which had fallen while avoiding the attack from the venomous dragon species. ― There's a brown bottle in the inner pocket! Uncle promptly retrieved the mentioned item. 'Powdered Horn of the Venom Neutralizing Rhinoceros.' A consumable item with venom-neutralizing effects. ― Spores ahead! Move to the right! And gather the book over there! I directed him to a small booklet rolling on the ground. It was an item dropped by the dead king's subordinates earlier. [You've acquired the item, 'Donguibogam - Section of Miscellaneous Diseases (Lower).'] It seemed the groups gathered here had cleared the 5-person dungeon, "Chapters of Donguibogam." [You've acquired the item, 'Donguibogam - Section of Acupuncture.'] The Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑) books lying on the floor consisted of nine volumes in total. [The effect of the 'Incomplete Edition of Donguibogam' is active.] And the Donguibogam granted the ability to resist poison upon collecting at least eight volumes. [Your body temporarily blossoms its innate Poison Avoidance ability.] Uncle's breathing visibly eased. However, this was merely buying time. Even if 'Powdered Horn of the Venom Neutralizing Rhinoceros' synergized with 'Donguibogam', one couldn't last thirty seconds in these spores. "Ugh." Uncle's body began to turn brown upon contact with the spores. Grrr― Sensing something amiss, the venomous dragon also looked this way. Having used its 'Annihilation Skill', yet uncle survived, an additional phase was triggered. The venomous dragon roared aggressively into the air and unleashed its breath. "Mr. Inho." Uncle's face turned pale at the sight of the acid-like rain falling from above. I reassured him. ― It'll be okay. We can survive. Run, quickly! "Can I really keep living?" ― You have to meet Ji-yoon again! Without answering, uncle panted. That brief silence said it all. Uncle already understood everything. "Even if I survive, I'll remain a burden to Mr. Inho." A burden. That was how Dansoo viewed himself. ― Uncle. Killer King, bearing the [Eyes of Sin], had said it. Dansoo, wearing a white coat, was said to possess a 'Pure White Soul.' I could read the path that pure soul had treaded. 「"Can you teach me how to catch insects?"」 The person who proved their worth by killing insects in the subway. 「"Do we really have to kill?"」 Maintaining his beliefs alone in a scenario where everyone killed one another. 「"I won't kill. I won't kill."」 Even after consuming a 'Star Gem' and becoming a monster, he never ended a human life. ― None of us could live like you. In this world, one person's life becomes a narrative. [The Constellation, 'Demon-Like Judge of Fire,' looks at the Incarnation 'Lee Dansoo.'] [The Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband,' is watching the Incarnation 'Lee Dansoo.'] [The Constellation, 'Maritime War God,' cheers for the history of the Incarnation 'Lee Dansoo.'] Yet, proof is needed to validate that narrative. [The Constellation, 'Intriguing Schemer,' nods in agreement.] Proof that Uncle's history is worth recording. That proof was rolling on the ground. ― Run! Pick it up! Quickly! With my shout, uncle picked up the 'Brown Banner' lying on the ground. A gentle light swirled over Dansoo's entire being. [Incarnation 'Lee Dansoo' has claimed the 'Brown Banner.'] ['The King's Path' is beginning!] Acidic liquid falling from the sky was about to drench uncle. An attack that neither the 'Donguibogam' nor 'Powdered Horn of the Venom Neutralizing Rhinoceros' could neutralize. [The effect of the 'Brown Banner' has activated a barrier.] A barrier extended in the air, halting the acidic breath. We quickly scanned our surroundings. There were a total of eight banners on the ground, all dropped by dead kings. To complete 'The King's Path' in this timeline, the 'Black Banner' must be obtained. ― Gather them all! With each new banner collected, the color of the banner uncle held began to shift. Dark brown, pale purple, purple, deep purple, and then― Thud. Uncle tripped over a rock, his body rolling on the ground. The sound of pressed spider lily buds bursting. Spores rapidly clung to uncle's entire body. "Ah." Flowers began to grow upon uncle's skin. The spider lilies bloomed tirelessly, emanating a rich scent. Dansoo's energy started to deplete rapidly. [Incarnation 'Lee Dansoo' has accomplished the 'Black Banner.'] The sound of his breathing slowly faded. Uncle's fear was palpable. Now uncle also knew. What was going to happen from this point on. And what my plan was. [The core condition of 'The King's Path' is unlocked.] Even I didn't know if this strategy would succeed. "Thank you." As if understanding my thoughts, uncle smiled, surrounded by red petals. 「This is a path that only Uncle Dansoo can follow in this world.」 And for this method to succeed, uncle must die once. Death. I don't know what that is. Maybe uncle doesn't either. Whether it's 'something you can experience', what happens after experiencing it. ― Uncle. Don't worry. No one knows other than Kim Dokja. ― I'll be with you. Soon, we too shall understand. "Friend." With uncle's last words, my vision slowly darkened. Pitch-black emptiness arrived. Darkness where nothing was written. I called out to uncle over and over again. But Dansoo didn't respond. [‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ is encountering an abnormal reaction!] Am I alive or am I dead now? If I'm neither. ■ Am I merely staring at a colossal wall? --- **Notes on Unique Terms:** 1. **Powdered Horn of the Venom Neutralizing Rhinoceros (시독 코뿔소의 뿔 가루)**: A consumable item with properties to neutralize venom or poisons. 2. **Donguibogam (동의보감)**: A respected medical text, translated to "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine." It's a key component providing the ability to resist toxins upon collecting eight volumes. 3. **Brown Banner (갈색 깃발)**: An item that appears to unlock essential aspects of 'The King's Path' with protective capabilities. 4. **The King's Path (왕의 길)**: A critical course or scenario within the narrative, requiring specific items to fulfill conditions. **Suggestions for the List:** - The context of 'Donguibogam' is expanded upon; suggesting it's vital to clarify its relevance in providing unique abilities or buffs within this world. - The 'Poison Avoidance' ability and its method of activation can be explored further for clarity. - The significance of 'Banners' and 'The King's Path' in world-building and item importance can be delved into to better connect with the narrative's progression. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ I groped the endlessly extending wall, desperately searching for legible text like a madman. And then, in the next moment: □ With a sudden whoosh, the darkness enveloped me. My surroundings brightened. I found myself back within the labyrinth. [A new 'King' has been born.] [You have made a decisive contribution to the birth of the new 'King.'] [The <Star Stream> is re-evaluating your narrative.] [A new 'Annihilation' is recorded on the 'Final Wall.'] Amidst the cascading crimson petals, a dazzling light emanated. Within that light, the body of Uncle Dansoo was being reconstituted. 「Verily, it was the birth of the new 'King of the Immortal.'」 --- **Notes on Unique Terms:** 1. **Final Wall (최후의 벽)**: An enigmatic structure or boundary, potentially serving as a ledger of pivotal events and characters within the <Star Stream>. 2. **King of the Immortal (불살의 왕)**: A grand title indicating a significant transformation or ascension of a character into a near-mythic role within the narrative. "불살" suggests immortality or undying nature. 3. **Annihilation (소실)**: Here, likely refers to an event, story, or moment that has now been recorded or immortalized within the narrative framework of the <Star Stream>. The transformation of Uncle Dansoo into a "King of the Immortal" marks his ascension and the impact of his character arc on the overarching narrative of the <Star Stream>. This plot progression should be underscored for its symbolic significance and its alteration to the world-building dynamic.