Side Story: Episode 21-9 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 21. Kim Dokja (9) Like an actor who had forgotten his lines, I stared blankly at the audience. What had I just heard? 【How fortunate it is that you have graced this world line. Doesn't everyone think so?】 The little Kim Dokjas remained silent. They neither agreed nor disagreed, only stared at me. Even that seemed to amuse Kim Dokja's Representative, who laughed. 【Surely, you don't still believe you are unaware of your own identity, do you?】 A languid sigh rippled through the audience at Kim Dokja's Representative's words. [Narrative, 'The Chronicler of Things to Vanish,' begins its tale.] I turned to the screen. The story of how the readers and I had lived was now displayed. Yet not all tales were present. Like shadows cast on a cave’s wall, some scenes were bizarrely exaggerated, while others were cut short. The story on the screen was more thrilling and agitated than the reality I had experienced, and the targets of wrath were clear. A narrative of moral principles with obvious heroes and villains. "Is this how they've been screening our story all along?" With my question, the images on the screen halted. Amidst the murmurs of the little Kim Dokjas, Kim Dokja's Representative stepped forward. Reflecting upon it, I still did not fully understand Kim Dokja's Representative's purpose; why he brought the readers here, nor why he opposed Kim Dokja’s Company. 【That's correct. Because a 'new story' must be written.】 A new story. Kim Dokja's Representative was gazing at Yoo Joonghyuk, who lay collapsed on the floor. 【And a ‘new story’ needs a 'new protagonist,' doesn't it?】 With a beeping sound, the visuals shifted on the screen. 【I remember the first time I saw you.】 The scene reflected Kumho Station. The very first Scenario I knew well— 'Proof of Value.' 「With a deafening roar, Kim Cheol-yang's head exploded.」 The people at Kumho Station, the Ten Evils’ Kim Cheol-yang, and the Cult of Life were perishing, deceived by [Agitation]. The screen zoomed in on my expression, elated beyond comprehension, at the precise moment of their death. I found myself at a loss for words. Clearly, this narrative on the screen was edited. Yet, that expression was undeniably mine. 【I hadn’t planned for your arrival, though now I think perhaps it’s for the better.】 The images continued shifting. Meeting Bang Cheolsu's gang and altering the course at Kumho Station. 「“Go ahead and prove it.”」 Meeting the 41st regression's Yoo Joonghyuk and falling under the Han River bridge. 「“It’s really Cheon Inho. Then, it doesn’t matter if this woman dies, right?”」 Escaping the Oryong’s stomach with Jung Heewon, who awakened as the 'Judge of Demonic Annihilation.' 「Character 'Jung Heewon's trait develops into 'Judge of Demonic Annihilation (Hero)'.」 Encounters with the Killer King siblings, defeating the 'Watcher of Darkness,' and gaining 'Thoughts on Almost Everything.' 「“Shi—Jyo!”」 Meeting Anna Croft in the 'Illusion Prison' and confirming the 40th regression's Cheon Inho. 「“The moment you press the reset button, this world doesn't disappear but becomes eternal.”」 Meeting Ye Hyunwoo and Gong Pil-Du in Chungmuro. 「“Is this what Cheon Inho looks like… much better-looking than I read.”」 Rescuing Max the Mole Cricket during the 'Emergency Defense War.' 「If the monsters hadn’t died here, would this story have been entertaining?」 Clearing the theater dungeon's Scenario and losing reader Jung Jaewoo. 「“I don't want to die.”」 Finally reaching the theater rooftop to face Han Sooyoung. 「“Is it truly Han Sooyoung?”」 I briefly lost myself in the memories, realizing how much had happened in such a short span. There were missing memories between scenes, not recorded anywhere but clear in my mind alone. The visuals halted once more as Kim Dokja's Representative spoke. 【Because you’re the most suitable to bring their stories to a close.】 It wasn’t clear to whom ‘they’ referred. Was it the characters who had died this cycle, or― Turning to see the little Kim Dokjas staring at the screen with their mouths agape. Recorded does not mean all-encompassing. But neither were the visions they beheld lies. The little Kim Dokjas, eyes filled with nostalgia. Inhaling lightly, I opened my mouth to speak. "Protagonist, huh." An amusing notion. If they made a movie with me as the protagonist, it’d likely be a total flop. "If you were filming such a movie secretly, shouldn't you have gotten my permission first?" At my brazen words, Kim Dokja's Representative widened his eyes. "If you're going to pull this off, you should start by offering compensation." I wasn't sure what he intended to do by casting me as the protagonist, but from my perspective, making the most of the situation was imperative. My current goal was to destroy the 'Absolute Throne.' Given the circumstances, if I could obtain 'Canpyeongui' and awaken the 'Four Yin Decapitation Sword'— 【Ha ha—】 "…?" 【Ah ha ha— ah ha ha ha!】 Laughter like madness. It wasn’t only Kim Dokja's Representative laughing but some small Kim Dokjas also smiled as if amused. 【Sorry, your reaction is both full of resentment and nostalgia.】 "What?" 【Very well. I shall pay. Will this suffice?】 [You have acquired 300,000 coins!] Suddenly, coins poured from the void. I looked up at the sky in a daze among the unexpected golden waves. A sense of misgiving gnawed at me. 【But you see, I need to verify if I've hired the right actor.】 In the moment I hesitated, his chilling voice pierced my heart. 【Kim Dokja.】 Just a name of three syllables. Why did that name, which I had repeated, read, and written countless times, sound so tormenting now? [The Trait, 'The One Who Gazes into the Abyss' activates.] A sudden dizziness overcame me. It felt as if someone had seized my ankle and yanked me downward, drawing my body into a spiraling abyss. --- New Terms: 1. **Canpyeongui (간평의)** - Translated as 'Canpyeongui.' In the original, it likely refers to a high-level artifact, weapon or ability, used by Kim Dokja to awaken his sword technique. Alternate translations could include 'Partial Appraisal,' given the mention of appraisal context. 2. **Four Yin Decapitation Sword (사인참사검)** - Translated directly as 'Four Yin Decapitation Sword.' The original name suggests a powerful sword technique or weapon, incorporating mystical or sinister elements associated with 'Yin,' or combining four aspects (Four Yin) in its lethal form. 3. **The Absolute Throne (절대 왕좌)** - Maintained as 'the Absolute Throne.' This denotes a powerful position or item that grants ultimate authority, possibly related to the overarching quest or challenge Kim Dokja faces. Notes on Wordplay/Puns: - **'꼬마 김독자' (Little Kim Dokjas):** The original text uses '꼬마' or 'little,' suggesting smaller or perhaps younger manifestations of Kim Dokja, which may imply a metaphorical representation of parts of his psyche or alternate versions from different scenarios. - **The Trait, '심연을 들여다본 자' (The One Who Gazes into the Abyss):** The term 'gazes' denotes an active role in observing or confronting the abyss, with 'abyss' implying a deep chasm or dark facet of one's consciousness or situation, augmenting the psychological tension. Contextual Note: - The narrative elaborates on an existential or metaphysical crisis, with elements highlighting the blurred lines between reality and manufactured narratives. Kim Dokja contemplates his identity and role in a determined plot, set by others, yet seeks autonomy through confrontation. Any adjustments needed in the character-specific list are minimal as the context remains consistent with established terms. Not long ago, memories resurfaced of when I was agitatedly called 'Kim Dokja.' At that time, I experienced something akin to what I felt now. As if pulled into a deep abyssal ocean, my soul was drawn down, and there, I heard the stories of the readers. Yet, it wasn't solely the stories of the readers I heard in that place. The screen’s imagery changed. 「“The one to read my novel… isn’t you.”」 The painful voice of someone familiar. Accompanied by sprouting blood drops, the Kim Dokja in my memory spoke on screen. 「“Han Sooyoung. I’m sorry, but I truly can’t remember. I haven’t been reading 'Ways of Survival' much lately….”」 A thought crossed my mind. 「Perhaps I really might not be ‘Kim Dokja.’」 Kim Dokja’s Company spoke. 「“Can you get up for a moment, Reader? You’ll ruin your back if you keep lying there.”」 「“How about doing some stretching exercises with me?”」 「“Sir, will you be okay like this? Let me bring some story packets for you.”」 The memories of the 1,865th regression with them. 「“Wow, it’s the method Reader used, right?”」 「“Sir, you taught me this recipe.”」 「“Did he do all this alone?”」 At the end of the Scenario, Kim Dokja was speaking. 「“Another version of me might not want this. That story… it ended there….”」 And I was thinking again. 「If I could be reborn, I’d prefer not to be Kim Dokja.」 A distant meteor shot through the sky alongside a trail of starlight. The world expanded and contracted in an instant. A pale blue planet. The meteor fell. 「I want my own story.」 A child born where the meteor fell began to cry. I watched for a long time as I cried in my parents’ arms. 【Are you still intent on denying who you are?】 "….." 【Aren't you angry? Why did you have to suffer so much? Why were you criticized as a ‘fraud’ and had your rightful place stripped from you?】 His voice was like a narration coming from among distant stars. 【Don’t you think you should take revenge on them?】 Memories arose despite my intention to deny them. When a few little Kim Dokjas nodded, sparks flickered in the empty space. With a fizzing sound, Kim Dokja's Representative spoke. 【Now it's your turn.】 As if he had awaited this moment, Kim Dokja’s Representative's eyes blazed. 【Prove that you were the ‘real’ one. Defeat Kim Dokja’s Company, liberate this 'world line' from their lengthy, tedious story. Create the paradise for extras you dreamed of.】 Coincidentally, Yoo Joonghyuk, collapsed on the floor, stirred slightly. It seemed he was slowly regaining consciousness. 【Stop Yoo Joonghyuk. I’ll lend you the necessary coherence.】 I had come here to stop Yoo Joonghyuk. To prevent him from claiming the ‘Absolute Throne,’ and thus avert the destruction of this world. 【This is your last chance to alter the very foundations of the universe that oppress you.】 The foundations of the universe. Hearing those words, clarity returned to my mind. Han Sooyoung’s words came to me. 「“I came to bring ‘closure’ to all these stories. To stop this damn tragedy that never ends, no matter how much you close it.”」 Back then, I had been infuriated by Han Sooyoung’s words. I wanted to ask why they were stopping me when they also twisted the world lines of 'Ways of Survival.' People of this world line deserve happiness. Even the extras of this world have lives worth living. Even if the end of this world was predetermined, I wanted to declare that it wasn’t a world they had the right to destroy. Yet, 「Why did Han Sooyoung seek to destroy this world?」 Everything that transpired in this world line happened, yet was not recorded. Everything in this world exists to fill the empty links between 'Ways of Survival' and 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' But if the conclusion of this world line changes, what then? 【Break Kim Dokja’s Company’s universe.】 I looked down at the theater floor. The intertwined footprints of countless little Kim Dokjas marked the ground. 【Destroy the oppressive foundation of <Star Stream> that has dominated your fate― with the conclusion of the world only the ‘true’ Kim Dokja knew.】 A coldness nestled in my chest. Perhaps my thoughts were misguided. Even if the conclusion of this world changes, Kim Dokja’s Company’s universe might remain unscathed. It might merely result in the birth of a new branch in parallel universes. But what if it’s not? What if, as recompense for changing the conclusion, all world lines in 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』 are destroyed? 「And what if that was why Han Sooyoung tried to stop me?」 Slowly looking up, Kim Dokja's Representative stood before me. On his outstretched hand lay a sword emitting brilliant light. 【Take it.】 A sword that could alter the conclusion of this world. It was not the dormant 'Four Yin Decapitation Sword' I possessed, but the completely awakened sacred relic Four Yin Decapitation Sword. Shining upon the starry pattern of the full narrative, an item ready to sever the ‘Absolute Throne’ at any moment. 【It’s time for you to end their stories.】 --- New Terms: 1. **Do-soo Exercises (도수체조)** - Translated as 'stretching exercises.' The original term appears to resemble a type of stretching or therapeutic exercise, likely suggested to alleviate physical discomfort. An alternate could be 'physical therapy exercises' for context within superhuman feats characters might engage in. 2. **Story Packet (설화 팩)** - Translated as 'story packet,' maintaining the literal interpretation akin to pre-packaged story elements. Alternate translation might include 'narrative aid' or 'plot enhancer' depending on intended use in context. 3. **Interstellar Star Trails (빛무리)** - Translated directly as 'starlight,' related to the luminous path of a shooting star or meteor. The poetic nature of the term emphasizes the grandeur and fleeting aspect of celestial phenomena. Notes on Wordplay/Puns: - **"Kim Dokja’s universe":** Reinforces the connection to his personal mythos within the narrative, suggesting an alternate reality governed by his narrative resonance. - **"Narrative ending":** Raises questions about the existential and metaphysical role of narrators and alternate selves, encapsulating the broader narrative struggle depicted in the text. - **"Visually burning eyes":** Suggests Kim Dokja's Representative’s fervent determination, bordering on zealousness, emphasizing the climactic choice offered to the protagonist. Additional Context: - This segment strongly explores themes of identity, choice, and narrative freedom, juxtaposing creator, character, and reader roles. The philosophical underpinning questions predetermined narratives versus agency within scripted realities. Any refinements to character-specific terms remain minimal, ensuring continuity with existing terms while expanding on narrative complexities explored.