Side Story: Episode 21-12 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

### Episode 21. Kim Dokja (12) Han Sooyoung looked at me, then smirked as she replied, "You’re a good liar, aren’t you?" As expected, it didn’t work. Of course, if anyone could recognize 'Kim Dokja,' it would be Han Sooyoung. From Han Sooyoung’s fingertips, narratives flowed ceaselessly, warming the surroundings. It felt as cozy as when Kim Dokja handed me warm tea in the snowy field. "How did you get here?" In the scenario area on Earth, there was only one way to get to this place. "Did you cross the Great Hall?" Risking her life to pass through the 'Great Hall.' But why would she do that? For what reason? Instead of answering, Han Sooyoung gazed up at the sky. Amidst the pitch-black sky, something resembling an opaque barrier shimmered. There were entities writhing against the barrier as if they were using it as a translucent screen. Immediately, I realized what they were. Outer Gods. And not just any kind—they were entities of a higher grade than I had ever seen before. And there wasn’t just one. The vast numbers seemed capable of covering the entire sky. If even one of them descended before me, I would probably spew blood and die on the spot. "Don’t worry. Those guys can’t cross over." Without a trace of fear, Han Sooyoung reassured me. "This area may be on the outskirts of a scenario, but creatures beyond a certain grade can’t pass the 'Void Veil.' And―" Just as she finished, something seemed to be trying to break through the barrier. As a long tentacle pushed against the periphery of the barrier and protruded like a blister, a loud noise erupted from beyond the veil. A wave of magical power cut through the opaque barrier. A trajectory reminiscent of a meteor shower. The Outer Gods touched by the trajectory let out grotesque screams as they either retreated or disintegrated. "There's someone blocking them." The boundless trust in Han Sooyoung's voice was palpable. I had a suspicion about who was confronting the Outer Gods beyond the barrier. "It’s Lee Hak Hyun, isn’t it?" I nodded as I spoke. "We exchanged names, didn’t we?" "Do I have to say it out loud? You already know my name." That was true. We had never once told each other our names. Yet, we knew each other. Our stories had spoken to one another. "Names are important. Every narrative needs a title to be complete." [Narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ resonates.] The sentences written by her and inscribed by me floated, chattering in the air. ["Even a writer doesn't completely dominate their own novel. When you look back, there are holes everywhere. Ultimately, reading is the process of connecting those irregular gaps in your own way."] The sentences burned in midair, emanating a warm energy. In this scenarioless place, only that story kept the cold at bay. ["I don't get it."] ["...It means that as time passes, you see what you’ve written as if it were composed by someone else. Humanity, in the end, is an other to itself."] Han Sooyoung ignited each narrative like a matchstick, lighting up the warmth. I didn't ask if she was okay. Because obviously, she wouldn’t be. I said something else instead. "I enjoyed it back then." How did she interpret my words? Han Sooyoung's eyes trembled briefly. "Do you remember?" "How could I forget?" In every sense, it was my memory. In my past life, I lived through those times, and in this life, I wrote about them. Thus, I lived it and wrote it, experiencing it twice. And now, by reading it, I'm living a third life. I asked while watching the silently flowing narratives, "Do you not regret it?" Han Sooyoung puckered her lips before answering. "It’s fine now. You’ve read it, after all." I nodded. "Kim Dokja has a good memory." "Yeah." Once more, we became readers, watching the sentences turn to flames and vanish. Within those sentences, Kim Dokja was the king of a kingless world, the one who resisted miracles, the slayer of the Calamity King and Outer Gods, and the Demon King of Salvation. "That damn salvation. Cursed salvation." Involuntarily, I chuckled. Han Sooyoung joined with a smile. Irrespective of our laughter, Kim Dokja's story continued. Liberating the factory, standing against the Twelve Zodiac Generals, confronting the Gourmet Association’s sponsors. Visiting the island of reincarnators, freeing forgotten narratives, earning recognition from the Apocalypse's Final Dragon. Within that story, Kim Dokja bore many names. Murmuring those names that rolled off the tongue, we seemed to become a single reader, relishing all those tales together. "Lee Hak Hyun." As I turned my gaze, the narrative that burned like a campfire flickered in her eyes. ["Kim Dokja! Say something! When will you feel like this again?"] ["I—I am the protagonist!"] I knew what she was going to say. "Can I call you 'Kim Dokja' just once more?" I was about to tell her to go ahead. Because lying is what I’m best at. However. "Kim Dokja, I’m sorry." Suddenly, I was at a loss for words. Why is she apologizing? For what reason? Suddenly, a dizzying sensation jabbed my head. The box of memories submerged deep in my mind opened, and past scenes surfaced one after another. ["Kim Dokja, I’m sorry."] In the 49% of my memories, Han Sooyoung was speaking. I wanted to ask if we hadn’t had this conversation before. But Han Sooyoung was faster. "I wanted to say it countless times, but as you know, I'm not good at apologizing." I watched Han Sooyoung closely. ["In the 1,865th round, it took two years for the party to see the end of the scenario."] During those two years, Han Sooyoung was with my past self—Kim Dokja of the 49%. We experienced many things as we navigated numerous scenarios. ["What are you sorry for?"] ["That's..."] ["For trying to cut my throat?"] My past self spoke to the deeply bowed Han Sooyoung. --- **Notes:** 1. **Great Hall (그레이트 홀)**: Translated directly as "Great Hall." It implies a significant place one risks life to pass through, indicating a high level of danger or challenge, much like a grand threshold. 2. **Void Veil (공허 장막)**: The translation maintains the literal meaning of "empty curtain," representing an ethereal barrier separating dimensions or realities, which the Outer Gods cannot traverse due to its protective nature. 3. **Lee Hak Hyun as Lee Hak Hyun(이학현)** and **Han Sooyoung as Han Sooyoung(한수영)**: Gender pronouns matched based on the pre-determined list as 'he' for Lee Hak Hyun and 'she' for Han Sooyoung. Displaying familiarity and understanding without needing direct introductions. 4. **Outer Gods (이계의 신격)**: Loosely interpreted as "Godly Figures of Foreign Realms," consistent with the rank of powerful beings outside known dimensions. If the document referenced any individuals not listed in the initial list, they should retain their inherent names with context provided within the passage above. The translation aimed to carry over not only the literal meanings but also evoke the tone and narrative style of the original. "Don't worry about it. It's not like we never tried to kill each other before?" "That was then. Now—" "If I were you, I might have done the same. If suddenly someone named Han Sooyoung said she plagiarized the Ways of Survival, I’d probably behead her on the spot." "Hey, even so—" Two years isn't a short time. During those two years, we talked about so many things. We survived countless life-threatening situations. We shared meals cooked by Yoo Joonghyuk. "But I was definitely about to kill you." In that world, the 49% Kim Dokja received what the original Kim Dokja should have. We went to the Han River and the ocean with our companions and ate chicken and pizza. Although we never lived together in a large house, we shared a clear existence in that world. Together, we witnessed the conclusion of another world. At the world's end, Han Sooyoung spoke. "I'll die for you once too." As if she had multiple lives, the past life of hers stood before me now saying, "I'm sorry." She repeated the same apology once more. Like someone who has never apologized before. Why? Did all those stories not end in the 1,865th round? "The first time I used an [Avatar], I created a clone... But I gave it too many memories, and suddenly it became uncontrollable, so I couldn't retrieve it." Only after seeing the narrative burn away in flames before my eyes did I come to a sudden realization. I see. She... "I don't know. But seeing how fine I am now, it must’ve been insignificant memories." She lost those memories. "So it was all because of me." And thus, she became someone who could never forgive herself. I hesitated before speaking. Today’s me is different from yesterday’s me. Nevertheless, between the 49% Kim Dokja and me stands a much thicker wall of today and yesterday. After such a long time, Kim Dokja became me. How much can I represent my past self now? "I'm not asking you to forgive me. You know, that’s just the way I am." If Han Sooyoung doesn't remember that story, maybe keeping quiet is the best way to consider her current self. "Sorry for that too." We paused for a moment, gazing at the flames of the burning narrative. Suddenly, everything seemed laughable. Nothing is completely whole. She lost her memories, and I don’t fully remember my past life either. Strangely similar, we speak for the past selves that no longer exist. "You tried to kill me." Can one person truly forgive another? "I did." Can past wrongs be forgiven in the future? Can the past self of Kim Dokja ever become the current Lee Hak Hyun? "That is." Perhaps forgiveness was quite simple. Just like Yoo Joonghyuk who received forgiveness for trying to kill Kim Dokja. It could have all passed like nothing happened. But I could tell. That wasn’t what Han Sooyoung desired now. "I can't forgive." Han Sooyoung smiled. "Right." As if finally satisfied with never being forgiven. "Did you think I was really a monster without emotions?" I saw Han Sooyoung charging toward the Demon King of Salvation amid the flames. I started to worry. Even if it's Han Sooyoung, if she loses any more narratives, it could be dangerous. "Hey." Rumble. It was at that moment that an anomaly occurred in the sky. Something emerged near the Void Veil that had undulated earlier. Han Sooyoung shook her head to reassure me. "Like I said earlier—" A very thin tearing sound of the veil was heard, and indeed, something came out. For an ‘Outer God,’ it was excessively small in form. I saw something human-like unfurling pitch-black wings in the air. "Han Sooyoung." Han Sooyoung's expression hardened. "That's—" The humanoid godly figure, wings unfurled in the sky, descended toward us. Its frame was small, but the impression it left was by no means weak. However, the ‘Void Veil’ is a barrier influenced by ‘probability.’ Absolute entities with overwhelming power can never cross that wall. What would happen if an individual could adjust their power level to pass through the veil? 【Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo】 A chilling wail. I never expected to meet an ‘Outer God’ in a scenarioless expanse. "I know what it is now." A figure resembling a human skeleton. Looking closely, it had various cultural accessories hanging from its neck and arms. Gilded ornaments swayed with each movement of its wings. Ch-ch-ch-ch! A brilliantly shining diamond at the center of the crown on its head. Finally, I realized its identity as well. "The one who created the Absolute Throne.” The reason it descended below the Void Veil was clear. It must be searching for a ‘proxy’ to succeed its throne. Simply put, "Yoo Joonghyuk." The dispersing puzzle pieces in my mind suddenly clicked into place. Could it be that this 41st round perished for that reason? “You.” Han Sooyoung stepped forward and spoke. "You said you wanted to prevent the destruction of this world." A strange passion emanated from her voice. Standing beside her, an enigmatic smile spread across her lips. "There’s a way for this world not to perish even if Yoo Joonghyuk sits on the ‘Absolute Throne.’" Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st round had communicated through Calamity Shin Yoosung. Using the ‘Absolute Throne,’ the correct conclusion could never be reached. Because the ‘Absolute Throne’ serves as a channel connected directly to the ‘Outer Gods.’ Then, “Is that even possible?” What if the very reason the ‘Absolute Throne’ is called the ‘Absolute Throne’ were to be eliminated? "It is. If I help." I grasped the sword handle slowly, watching the Outer God descending from the sky. In this place, there are two authors. But only one sentence needs to be written. 「Here, the ‘Creator of the Absolute Throne’ shall be killed.」 --- **Notes:** 1. **Absolute Throne (절대 왕좌)**: Preserved as "Absolute Throne." It signifies a singular, powerful seat from which dominion is exercised and perhaps connects higher entities to scenarios or worlds. 2. **Avatar ([아바타])**: Taken directly as "Avatar," indicating a projection or clone created by Han Sooyoung, mirroring themes around identity and control. 3. **Proxy (대행자)**: This term represents a person who would act on behalf of another, in this context, taking on the mantle or responsibilities from the throne creator. 4. **Cultural Accessories (문화권의 액세서리)** and **Diamond (다이아몬드)**: These small details help build the imagery of the Outer God and its grandeur and otherworldliness. No new name-to-role translations for characters were required here, since Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk were already defined. The translation here is intended to maintain continuity with the previous sections and portray the emotional undercurrents tied to memory, regret, and the quest for redemption.