Side Story: Episode 21-1 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 21. Kim Dokja (1) "Yoo Joonghyuk, why are you so harsh to Anna?" Lee Seolhwa asked casually. Normally, she wouldn’t probe into this. Everyone knew how much Yoo Joonghyuk disliked Anna Croft. Yet today, she felt compelled to ask. Perhaps it was because tomorrow was the great battle of the 'Holy Demon War.' Once tomorrow passed, Yoo Joonghyuk might end up alone again. "How about getting along with Anna?" "She bears a sin." "That's something from a past regression." "That person has inherited the memories of past regressions." "But aren't those just memories? It's not like this Anna experienced them directly." The 'Anna Croft' of this regression was not the 'Anna Croft' of the previous one. She merely read the memories of the past like one might read a novel. Was it just for such an 'Anna Croft' to bear the brunt of Yoo Joonghyuk's wrath? "I lived through the past regression." Lee Seolhwa briefly fell silent. Under normal circumstances, this would be where the conversation ended. Yoo Joonghyuk was a 'regressor' after all. "The past regression... was that truly 'you,' Yoo Joonghyuk?" "..." "You are different from the 'Yoo Joonghyuk' of past regressions, just like how I am different from the 'Lee Seolhwa' of previous ones." Every person is defined by the world they inhabit. Whether it be the 1600th or 1700th regression. He was still called 'Yoo Joonghyuk,' but the meaning behind the name changed with every cycle. The people of the 1600th regression and the 1700th were 'different.' Their memories, experiences, the time spent with each other; all distinct. The surrounding world had transformed, and thus Yoo Joonghyuk, compared to his past cycle, was now a 'different person.' Lee Seolhwa's words implied this. It was time to let go of the past. Release the self-inflicted curse. Without a word, Yoo Joonghyuk looked up at the sky. Lee Seolhwa followed suit, staring at the ethereal <Star Stream>. A world that turned everything under its sky into tales. In a glance, Yoo Joonghyuk's face seemed lonely and sorrowful, perhaps even like someone who understood everything. A person who had lived within a singular tale for an exceptionally long time. In that moment, Lee Seolhwa realized. Only Yoo Joonghyuk was unique; the rest, mere phenomena. Lee Seolhwa, Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye, and all his other companions were nothing more than a single line of writing in this repeated story. "Both then and now, I am 'Yoo Joonghyuk.'" Listening to those words, Lee Seolhwa's mouth opened slightly. Names were never truly one's own. It was because someone called him Yoo Joonghyuk that he became Yoo Joonghyuk. "I will continue to be Yoo Joonghyuk." Calling his name. It was about remembering those who named him. To ensure that those he met were not left as mere phenomena, to remember the meanings accumulated in that name. [The Eternal Immortal Tale stirs.] And regrettably, by speaking that name, he would once again become the protagonist of a 'tale.' In the distance, dawn began to break. Beyond the light erasing the black night, the army of the nebula approached. Lee Seolhwa watched this scene and asked, "Will you come find me in the next regression too?" Without answering, Yoo Joonghyuk reached into his coat and pulled out a tobacco pipe. A pipe left by his master. An item he had not used even once in this regression. With the pipe between his lips, he blew out smoke as if it were words. "Of course." —From "Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World" * * * The Tyrant King Jeong Yonghu is part of the 'Misread Alliance.' His hard drive was filled with thousands of fantasy novels, collections that symbolized the very history of his illegal activities. Without a trace of guilt, he shared and received files. Occasionally, he did purchase books. It was either to scan them or type them out to produce digital copies. Though he knew his actions violated copyright laws, he thought, what of it? After all, he had bought the book, so surely he had the right to use its content. That was his belief. [Activating the Exclusive Skill, 'Illegal Library.'] His prolonged illegal activities greatly aided his survival in another world. With thousands of fantasy novels in his head, 'Ways of Survival' was a compendium of such clichés. Every time something happened, he'd refer back to the unlawfully read novels and, as a result, achieved the qualifications of a king faster than anyone, ascending as one of the 'Seoul Seven Kings.' "Is everyone assembled?" The black flag fluttering behind him bore his qualification. Jeong Yonghu slowly turned his gaze towards the 'National Palace Museum.' Within its walls slept the Sword of Four Indestructible Calamities they sought. "Should we wait a bit longer to go in? Do you plan to charge in now?" The Assassin King voiced his concerns. "We don't yet know how things have unfolded inside. Releasing the 'calamity,' it's likely become a hell by now. It's best to deploy a scouting party to first assess the internal situation—" "They're all dead. Unless Kim Dokja is in there." Kim Dokja. Upon hearing that, the Assassin King couldn't help but feel uneasy. "That may be so, but it wouldn't hurt to confirm." "Soon, the 'Throne Conquest War' begins." The Throne Conquest War. A main event of the fourth scenario, a battle for the singular 'Absolute Throne' that appeared on the Korean peninsula. + <Qualifications for King> 1. "The throne's owner shall be more valiant than anyone." – The Absolute Throne will never accept a 'weak king.' To challenge the throne, you must at least possess the [Black Flag] as a king. 2. "Those who aspire for the throne possess deserving desires." – The number of 'kings' eligible to challenge the Absolute Throne is limited. To gain the right to challenge, you must eliminate the other surrounding kings. + Though the remaining number of kings wasn’t displayed, it wouldn't hurt to begin reducing the contenders early. --- **Translation Notes:** - 사인참사검 is translated as "Sword of Four Indestructible Calamities," where "사인참사검" refers to a sword named after a concept of indestructible calamity. - 검은 깃발 is translated as "Black Flag" where "검은" means black and "깃발" is flag. - 폭군왕 정용후 is translated as "Tyrant King Jeong Yonghu," where "폭군왕" denotes Tyrant King, and “정용후” is a name. - '오독협' is "Misread Alliance," adapted from the term that suggests they have misread the laws on literature sharing. - 암살왕 is translated as "Assassin King," where "암살왕" is a straightforward translation. - The concept of 'king qualifications' highlights cultural nuances of authority and challenge in the depicted world. - Suggestions for the table: Consider updating titles or roles that translate expressions with contextual nuance. For instance, the context of 'Tyrant King' implies authority and demeanor. "Before the final condition opens, we'll eliminate them all. It would be even better if we could obtain the 'Sword of Four Indestructible Calamities.'" Just as the preparations to proceed were completed, a messenger urgently shouted. "The Chungmuro Group is approaching." Along with the report, a group of Incarnations drew near from the opposite side. Chungmuro Group. A faction led by the Succeeding Apostle Ye Hyunwoo and the Armed Fortress Lord, Gong Pil-Du. One of the most formidable forces at the moment, wielders of the 'Black Flag.' However, the Tyrant King seemed unfazed. "They seem confident." "Of course. A single Succeeding Apostle isn't a problem." Powerful waves of magic rippled out from the Tyrant King's entire body. "That's because I am not the original 'Tyrant King'." When you think about it, even in the Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, the Tyrant King was a ruler who gained power by using the 'prophets'. With the backing of King Yeonsan and wielding the S-rank item 'Three-Wheeled Ring' as his main weapon, he became a powerful Incarnation. But now, instead of the "Ways of Survival," he possessed knowledge from "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint." From the start, he obtained various hidden items and absorbed elixirs to raise his overall stats. "Even if three or four Yoo Joonghyuks from the third regression come at me, I can defeat them." In his current state, it was possible. Even if that 'Supreme King' appeared, they would not be able to defeat him now. As if reflecting his confidence, thunder rumbled from the distant sky. The Tyrant King looked at the sky and laughed triumphantly. "Even the <Star Stream> knows who is the mightiest 'king'." Saying so, he realized he sounded like a stereotypical villain. Perhaps from reading too many mass-produced fantasy novels, he thought with a wry smile. Again, thunder roared. Bolts of lightning sporadically struck the ground. Between those strikes, something black flew toward them. What is that? Frowning, the Tyrant King gripped his weapon, while the shield-bearers around him moved forward. The first to sense something amiss was the Assassin King. "That's—" When the Tyrant King glanced back, the Assassin King's face was already pale, and he was fleeing in the distance. Just as the Tyrant King was about to shout something at the Assassin King, the black lightning descended upon them. Jeong Yonghu swung the Three-Wheeled Ring, unleashing his magic. "This kind of thing—" There was no way mere lightning could defeat him. He was Jeong Yonghu, the Tyrant King. "This kind of—" But something was off. Upon contact with the lightning, his Three-Wheeled Ring was breaking apart. Not just the ring, but his arms, torso, legs, everything in the surrounding area was shattering. "What is this—" Leaving behind his final villainous words, his soul was erased within the black lightning. Along with all the fantasy novels he had collected unlawfully. As the thick dust settled, the scene resembled a meteor impact site. Within the deeply formed crater stood a solitary man gripping an ominous black spear, gazing calmly at the sky. The man expertly twirled the spear, as if testing it, and muttered to himself. "It felt like some energy was coming from here. Was it just my imagination?" Then, the small girl clinging to his back descended to the ground and asked. "Brother, who are you looking for?" "There’s someone." With the girl back on his shoulders, the man lightly leapt up the crater's edge, drawing gasp from the Incarnations nearby. At the forefront of the Incarnations was Ye Hyunwoo, who muttered, "Yoo Joonghyuk?" Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at Ye Hyunwoo. Under the weight of that cold gaze, Ye Hyunwoo quickly raised his hands. "I didn't come to fight." Yoo Joonghyuk briefly swept his eyes over Ye Hyunwoo, uninterested, before turning toward the collapsed 'National Palace Museum.' "The scenario has changed again. Why did the museum collapse?" "……." "Who went in there?" Hesitant, Ye Hyunwoo nodded. "Cheon Inho?" Ye Hyunwoo seemed unsure how to respond. There were quite a few formidable contenders inside the museum now. Moreover, if it involved that 'Cheon Inho,' there was little worry no matter the opponent. At least, that was the assumption before seeing the current Yoo Joonghyuk. ‘This is unbelievable.’ Though he had been surprised when he first saw him, it wasn't to this extent. A mere 41st regression. Not the 1,863rd regression stage, but from an intermediate point at the 41st regression. Yet what was this intensity? Even approaching him made Ye Hyunwoo feel like his neck might snap from sheer force, and he swallowed, contemplating. ‘If Yoo Joonghyuk intends to target the other 'kings.' ’ The qualifications for the 'second king' had already been declared. If Yoo Joonghyuk was acting to reduce the number of kings, revealing Cheon Inho's whereabouts could be dangerous. As Ye Hyunwoo hesitated to answer for too long, Yoo Joonghyuk's brow furrowed. The angle of the spear he held slowly began to shift. [Hmm, I didn’t expect the number of 'kings' to lessen so quickly.] Accompanied by a buzzing sound, a dokkaebi appeared in the air. [It’s about time to start the last task.] The timely arrival of the intermediate dokkaebi 'Baul' announced the final task. + <Qualifications for King> 3. "Thus, the one true king who stands alone without anyone's aid" - To challenge the Absolute Throne, a 'king' must prove their strength with nothing but their own body. + ['Final King's Qualification' begins.] [Qualified kings are moved to the final test site.] Finally, the time had come to determine the owner of the throne. --- **Translation Notes:** - '충무로 그룹' (Chungmuro Group) refers to a faction based on the historic area of Chungmuro, Seoul, which serves as a thematic name. - '삼륜환' (Three-Wheeled Ring) is retained as-is with the addition of "Three-Wheeled Ring" due to its significance as an S-rank weapon. - '패왕' is translated as "Supreme King," which signifies a superior overlord-type being in this context. - '예현우' (Ye Hyunwoo) and '공필두' (Gong Pil-Du) adhere to already established name conventions. - Further addition suggests altering sword reference translations such as '사인참사검' to ensure thematic consistency.