Side Story: Episode 21-10 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 21. Kim Dokja (10) "I am." Suddenly, a thought struck me. This world is a grand propaganda. Depending on who the narrator is, this world turns into a different story, a different reality. And I, "Cannot accept that sword." Regrettably, the reality I believed in was different from that of the 'Kim Dokja’s Representative.' At my response, Kim Dokja’s Representative's eyebrows furrowed deeply. 【Strange.】 His expression seemed both confused and expected. 【Didn't you want a story of your own?】 In a way, he was right. As a writer and a reader, I am someone who desires my own story. However, I needed to momentarily quell the boiling memories. 「Why is Kim Dokja’s Representative trying to assign me this role now?」 I examined him calmly. Even at a glance, the aura emanating from him was of an extraordinary level. If he wished, he could easily shatter the 'Absolute Throne' himself. But he did not. To be precise, he could not. Perhaps, like other Constellations, he was affected by the backdraft of Probability. Even the mighty 'Kim Dokja’s Representative' cannot intervene in the scenario and shatter the 'Absolute Throne.' Therefore, he lends me his power. The price he desires in return was clear. 「Narrative (說話).」 The Narrative that would be completed by destroying the Absolute Throne. He sought to claim his stake in that Narrative. Come to think of it, there was someone similar in 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.' Someone who helped Kim Dokja, and in return for power lent, gained a stake in the great Narrative of 'Demon Realm's Spring.' 【Hmm.】 For a moment, the demonic energy emanating from his entire body took on an edge. I instinctively pulled Yoo Joonghyuk, who lay slumped on the ground, towards me. Rumble. Using him as a shield, I crouched as demonic energy swept through the theater. Yoo Joonghyuk, who bore the brunt of the demonic wave in my stead, trembled like a leaf. Eyes wide open in disbelief, Yoo Joonghyuk glared at me before fainting once more. Kim Dokja’s Representative, watching us keenly, chuckled lightly. 【Despite everything, you act just like Kim Dokja.】 "I'm sorry, but." There was no need for further courtesy. I had seen enough of his impure intentions. It was time for my narrative. "I'm not Kim Dokja." I looked at the young Kim Dokjas one by one as I spoke. "My name is Lee Hak Hyun." The young Kim Dokjas either tilted their heads in confusion, nodded in understanding, or showed no reaction at all. Kim Dokja’s Representative spoke. 【That's not the answer we were looking for.】 "It's the answer you didn't want." His lips twitched in interest. I seized the moment to lash out. "Real or fake, vengeance or liberation, the words sound plausible. But." I, too, knew 49% of Kim Dokja's story. Among the memories I saw were those Kim Dokja’s Representative hadn't shown me. Yet, even if suddenly told that those memories were my past life, it didn't feel real. Just because Kim Dokja read 'Ways of Survival' extensively didn't mean he could become Yoo Joonghyuk; similarly, 49% of Kim Dokja's story felt like a distant tale beyond the wall for me. And even if my past life really was that ‘Kim Dokja’― "Why are you the one raging on behalf of that 'Kim Dokja'?" The entity before me shouldn't be the one to embody that will. "Whether it's resentment, anger, or vengeance against <Kim Dokja’s Company>, that's for Kim Dokja to decide, not you." 【…….】 "Besides, you don't truly empathize with Kim Dokja. You simply want to seize his Narrative. Just as you did in the last world, this world too―" Demonic energy crawled up my foot like insects, spilling from him. But I didn't stop speaking. "You merely want to remain as this world's 'major Narrative.'" Perhaps that was the trigger; a smile spread across his lips, different from before, filled with another sentiment. 【I had some expectations from you, though.】 My body stiffened, unable to move. Whether it was due to the dreadful intent he harbored or the sheer difference in power, I couldn't tell. 【Let's resume the screening.】 The young Kim Dokjas, who had been watching me, now turned their gaze towards the screen behind me. Turning my creaking neck to follow their gaze, I saw myself reflected on the screen. The me on the screen spoke. 「“I accept the Four Yin Sword of Calamities.”」 With a faint sigh, the me on the screen clasped the Four Yin Sword of Calamities. When I looked forward again, I found the 'Four Yin Sword of Calamities' offered by Kim Dokja’s Representative actually in my hand. My body moved against my will. [‘Theater of Genesis’ resumes its screening.] That's when I realized the rules of this 'theater.' Kim Dokja’s Representative's ability is to edit and manipulate the screen's footage. The theater's power is to manifest the narrated story. Yet such abnormal coercion certainly defied Probability― [You have received 300,000 coins as compensation.] [Your body follows the narrator's command.] Damn it. So that was it. 【The scenario is already complete. Accept your role obediently.】 My joints creaked like a broken puppet. I looked down at the unconscious Yoo Joonghyuk. The Four Yin Sword of Calamities I held in my right hand wailed. The Narrative embedded in its blade commanded. 「Cut it down.」 I grasped the sword with both hands. 「Cut it down.」 Above Yoo Joonghyuk's head, the faint threads of a constellation were visible. Those threads must be the link connecting to the 'Absolute Throne.' 「This is for the world.」 Both hands trembled violently. My will to resist the narrative's demand clashed with the force of the Narrative urging me to cut. If I relinquished my strength now, countless lives of this world might be saved. While not everyone would survive until the final scenario, at least they wouldn't live in a world destined for 'extinction.' --- **Additional Context and Translation Notes:** 1. Absolute Throne(절대 왕좌) - This term refers to an ultimate power or authority that characters in the story seem to be vying for, possibly analogous to Godlike power or influence within the narrative structure. 2. Four Yin Sword of Calamities(사인참사검) - A weapon of significant power, possibly symbolic of an ultimate decision or power to bring about change or destruction. 3. Narrative Grade(설화급) - In this context, "Narrative(설화)" implies not just a story, but a mythical or powerful storyline that impacts the world structure and history vividly. 4. Theater of Genesis(태초의 극장) - Likely a realm or illusion where realities are enacted, akin to a stage for narratives to manifest in reality through supernatural means. 5. "Demon Realm’s Spring(마계의 봄)" - A great Narrative, possibly an iconic or historic event or storyline within this world’s lore. These terms are translated literally yet designed to preserve the epic, mythical feel that is fitting for a novel with narrative elements akin to myth and legend. But then, what about the people from other universes? How would <Kim Dokja’s Company>, which has endlessly journeyed while fixated on a single Kim Dokja, meet its end? Is this truly the story everyone desires? Pain pulsated through my entire body as if my muscles were twisting. Blood vessels in my eyes became prominent, and it felt as though someone was wringing my abdomen in agony. Magic surged within my veins, threatening to burst. 「Cut it down.」 The screen illustrated my actions in real-time. Every story shown in this theater was one manipulated by Kim Dokja’s Representative. However, the source of the power bringing these stories to reality wasn't his. I summoned my remaining strength and looked around the audience. There were readers. They all had the same face but wore different name tags. Among them would be Jeong Jaewoo, whom I couldn't protect. The daughter of Mr. Dan-soo, Ji-yoon, and even Jungh Heewon's father—readers that had been possessed by Jeong Moon-ho. Innocent people. Dragged into the audience simply for reading this story. In return for enjoying Kim Dokja's story, they had now even lost the freedom to see what they desired. 「Perhaps there’s just one way to resist.」 I cracked a twisted smile and slowly opened my mouth. "Truly." I wasn’t sure if they could hear my story. Nevertheless, I didn’t stop. "Is this truly the story you wish to see?" Just like how Kim Dokja persuaded the Constellations that day. "No, it isn't." In the theater's deep darkness, the readers were still staring at the 'Kim Dokja' on the screen, not at me. But I felt they were listening to my voice. 【Wait a moment. You.】 Sensing something unusual, Kim Dokja’s Representative reached out towards me. But it was already too late. "As you all know, this world is a novel." In that moment, I felt grateful this was a theater. Grateful that readers gathered here. Grateful that I was Cheon Inho. "A novel that you know, and I know." This was a complete fiction that everyone believed to be true. And if this is fiction, [Activating special skill, Induction Lv.10!] I was more confident than anyone in speaking that fiction. "From now on, I will tell you the story you wish to hear." As I closed my eyes, memories resurfaced. Memories I had ignored. 「Cheon Inho.」 Stories from beyond the wall that felt distant like those in a novel. 「How long have you been there?」 「A long time.」 I gathered those tales sentence by sentence. As the phrases connected, warm eyes seemed to pile up like snow. The snow soon accumulated on the ground, forming a snowy plain. I now understood who the Kim Dokja on the snowy field was. 「Nevertheless, should this story have never begun?」 The person who read my story, the one who awaited its beginning more than anyone. 「Well, it's not supposed to be like this.」 Preparing candy for Han Sooyoung. 「I am Yoo Joonghyuk.」 Someone who already knew what I wanted to say. 「Every story I know is a story you know as well.」 「……The you standing before me is not the real you, right?」 Those memories were always there. 「Hak Hyun.」 Kim Dokja in a dream. Vague, distant, and longed for. My origin. Just as <Kim Dokja’s Company> gathered fragments to find the singular Kim Dokja, I too grasped the past life I had forgotten. 「Whatever it is, this time, tell a story where you are happy.」 If I gathered all these memories, would I become myself? ['Induction' meets special conditions and exerts powerful strength.] I don’t know. What I can do is simply lie. To deceive myself, deceive you, and finally deceive even the world. 「If you believe in that lie.」 Breathing gradually became suffocating, and an ancient sorrow flooded my mind. Who am I? Why did I come to this world? I could now answer that question. My narrative was answering it. "I am 49% of Kim Dokja." My whole body shuddered as if electrocuted, sparking everywhere. The sparks soon flowed to the floor, following the myriad footprints of the young Kim Dokjas until they ignited the screen. The blue sparks spread white, painting the entire screen. It resembled a dazzling snowy plain. The awakened young Kim Dokjas began to look at me one by one. In their small pupils, Kim Dokja was reflected. That day, the Kim Dokja standing in the snowfield. "So I want to." The 49% of Kim Dokja was speaking. "Decide my story for myself." A tranquil silence akin to a snowstorm descended. Amidst the stillness, Kim Dokja’s Representative spoke with a chuckle. 【What are you even talking about? Do you believe anyone will trust you just because you say that now―】 [rlaehrwk37 supports your story.] Someone was looking at me, like a first step made onto a white snowfield. A very small, but certain light. That light was shining towards me. [rlaehrwk41 supports your story.] Kim Dokja’s Representative glanced around, flustered. 【What is―】 As if a film reel was winding backwards, the flow of Probability was reversing. The binding force of the theater that oppressed me weakened. The Probability that bound my hands lessened. [rlaehrwk213 supports your story.] The Probability that constrained my legs faded. [rlaehrwk99 supports your story.] [rlaehrwk124 supports your story.] …… [Temporary error occurred in 'Theater of Genesis'!] I slowly turned around to face Kim Dokja’s Representative. Then the young Kim Dokjas also looked at him. I spoke his true name. "Asmodeus." Detecting something amiss, Asmodeus's expression hardened, and he snapped his fingers lightly. [You have violated the rules of the 'theater'!] [The ‘props’ given to you are reclaimed!] --- **Additional Context and Translation Notes:** 1. Induction(선동) - This skill is used to incite or persuade, which reflects the protagonist's ability to sway the crowd or manipulate the narrative. 2. Cheon Inho(천인호) - Here, the name reveals a deeper character layer, indicating a parallel or alternative identity and possibly a backstory that connects to the larger narrative of the novel. 3. Origin(起源) - This term is used metaphorically here to describe the character's foundation or fundamental history, deeply tied into the character's identity and past life revelations. The translated term "Induction" conveys the notion of influencing or swaying, underpinning the main character's rise to power in manipulating narratives and perceptions within the story world. The concept is significant as it aligns with the skill of storytelling and persuasion critical to the plot. The awakened version of the Four Yin Sword of Calamities that had been in my hand disappeared. But I still had another Four Yin Sword of Calamities. It was an item obtained as a reward after clearing the Star Labyrinth with the readers. Though not the awakened version, it was still a 'Four Yin Sword of Calamities' composed solely of the Narrative of this worldline. 【No one cares about your story. A crude tale bereft of memory or power—】 In the main plot, Kim Dokja had blossomed the Four Yin Sword of Calamities by borrowing the power of the Northern Dipper Martial Army. But here, there were no Constellations to aid me. No stars would be able to lend me their strength either. Except for one, 「There is a Constellation connected to me through a ‘Narrative.’」 The Constellation ignored by all stars. A man who forsook his authority to descend to the earthly realm, intending to walk through the scenarios once more. A star that wished to change his story more than anyone. [A Narrative, ‘Persisting Martial Expert,’ begins its story.] The Narrative he left behind embedded itself into the blade of the Four Yin Sword of Calamities. It was only the Probability of a personality-level Constellation. A power that could illuminate only one of the Seven Constellations of the Four Yin Sword of Calamities. But that power was enough. Because now, I had the Probability of the readers with me. Perhaps I could only wield this sword once. I decided to use that one chance here. Turning around, I saw the screen holding our story. I swung the sword toward the screen. --- **Additional Context and Translation Notes:** 1. Persisting Martial Expert(끈질긴 무림 고수) - This title denotes a Constellation who embodies persistence and resilience, akin to a martial artist or expert, closely tied to enduring hardships and altering fated narratives. 2. Star Labyrinth(별 미궁) - This term refers to a significant or complex scenario or challenge within the story world, often tied to testing or rewarding characters based on their resolve and resourcefulness. 3. Northern Dipper Martial Army(북두신군) - An entity or collection of stars and power, representing a prominent and powerful support within the narrative. Its absence highlights the protagonist's reliance on their intrinsic connections and the stories they share with others to achieve similar feats. The translation of entities like "Persisting Martial Expert" preserves the symbolic essence that resonates with universal themes of perseverance and humanity's struggle against predetermined fate, which is central to the narrative's progression.