Side Story: Episode 21-13 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 21. Kim Dokja (13) * In the abyss of darkness, where a void flowed like deep ink, two men stood still. Around them floated the mangled remains of severed tentacles, grim and silent witnesses to the chaos. These were the incarnations of Outer Gods that had once roamed above the shroud of emptiness. Yoo Joonghyuk wiped the black blood from his Abyssal Demon Blade and spoke. "Missed one." His voice carried a hint of displeased reprimand. The man opposite him frowned. "It was you who let it slip." Draped in rags, the man steadied the menacing aura emanating from his entire being as he peered down at the shroud of emptiness. One of the beings that had just escaped was now beneath that shroud. "Even with my thrusts, piercing that wouldn’t be easy." The Void Shroud. A web of plausibility crafted by the <Star Stream> to protect scenario regions from the Outer Gods. Only a deity willing to part with enough of its plausibility and lower its own stature could descend below. As he looked upon the shroud, the man smirked lightly. "If I truly intended to destroy it, it wouldn’t be impossible." "Then, the hunters that hound you would appear." "Do I look like I'm afraid of mere hunters?" Yoo Joonghyuk offered no reply. The man before him had earned the right to utter such words. There might be less than a dozen entities across the universe capable of withstanding that man’s thrusts. "Is that it, then? You brought me here to face mere creatures like these?" "There are stronger deities. You’re underestimating the <Star Stream> too much." "I came, expecting a place to end, but if things continue like this, I'll leave first." After muttering that, the man reclined indolently, using his arms as a pillow, and closed his eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at him before noticing the faint sparks flickering around them. Tsssss. Outside the Void Shroud, the power of plausibility diminishes. Yet the presence of these sparks suggested the <Star Stream> viewed them as significant threats. 'Descending upon this timeline would be challenging for a while.' Yoo Joonghyuk gazed at the shroud before him. Beyond its opaque veil, he couldn’t see clearly, but he knew there were two people down there whom he was familiar with. From a distance, the approach of another deity from beyond was audible. Gripping the hilt of his Abyssal Demon Blade once more, Yoo Joonghyuk muttered softly, as if speaking to an unknown audience. "Don’t die." * I can’t speak for other writers, but for me, the first consideration before crafting a tale is: Is this a solvable event, or an unsolvable one? Most times, a story is crafted to be resolvable. Otherwise, long-term serialization becomes untenable. However, every writer eventually encounters a moment when they must confront an ‘impossible event.’ 【Oooooooo】 For me, this was that moment. The mere sight sent shivers down my spine. Facing such a monster with a sound mind seemed impossible. "You can do it. The protagonist grows by fighting such things." I nodded. Han Sooyoung had likely battled numerous Outer Gods before. So perhaps, a creature like this— "I’ll tell you now, I’m no protagonist." Indeed, Han Sooyoung's Incarnation Body was in tatters. At a glance, her entire skeleton seemed meticulously shattered and twisted. "Instead, I’ll lend you my narrative. Now, go fight. Protagonist." I looked at her incredulously. Descending from the heavens was an Outer God of a level I had never encountered before. And yet they expected me to fight it alone? This was absurd. "It’s possible." [The narrative, ‘Expected Plagiarism,’ is now inhabiting your Incarnation Body.] In the next moment, countless voices of 'Lee Hak Hyun' began to echo in my mind. "If an Outer God descended below the shroud, it means they sacrificed some of their ‘status’." "It could just be their avatar, not their main body." "It might be stronger than any foe you’ve faced, but it’s not an insurmountable challenge." Han Sooyoung's narrative surged through me, invigorating my body. In my thoughts, I had forgotten. While Outer Gods are strong, Han Sooyoung is equally formidable. Moreover, in areas like the scenario's outskirts, her intrinsic narrative could wield power beyond plausibility. Rumble. Testing the narrative that coursed through me, I grasped my thoughts firmly. ‘Intention.’ With my command, the aspect of ‘Intention’ morphed. [‘Blade of Belief’ activates!] White Azure blades sprang forth. I swung my sword at the ‘Founder of the Absolute Throne,’ who had approached within striking distance. A strike swifter and more precise than any I’d ever delivered. It felt as if the famed swordmaster had possessed me. Perhaps that was why. Shink. Though shallow, there was a distinct sense of something yielding under my blade. 【Ooooooo】 The entity roared fiercely, a cry that made my eardrums threaten to rupture, and nausea bubble up. Every hair on my body stood on end, unable to quell the shivers running down my spine. The reason was clear. ‘The narrative of the Sovereign.’ A narrative of a king that commands all living things to submission was emanating from the being's body with oppressive force. My legs trembled, and I fought the overwhelming urge to kneel. This was the awe-inspiring presence of the ‘Founder of the Absolute Throne.’ But I held firm. I could endure it. Why, I didn't know. Perhaps it was because of Han Sooyoung's narrative. Perhaps the being had become significantly weaker after crossing the shroud, or perhaps it was because I had once captured an Outer God before. Whatever the case, one certainty remained: this situation had to be rendered ‘resolvable.’ 【You dare】 When I didn’t collapse easily, a radiant blade manifested in the founder’s grasp. It had the unmistakable look of a dangerous relic, taking the form of a greatsword. "Be careful! It’s Excalibur!" With Han Sooyoung’s warning, the sinister tempest of narrative fury unfurled before me. Oooooooo. The tormented cries of slain souls thundered beneath the blade's path. In any usual circumstance, I too might have joined them, consumed by the dreadful strike. But the current me had changed. --- **Translated Terms and Context:** 1. **Outer God (이계의 신격)** - Explanation: Deities from otherworldly realms. Translated directly to "Outer God" to distinguish these entities from other types of divine beings. 2. **Abyssal Demon Blade (흑천마도)** - Explanation: A weapon with dark, possibly abyssal qualities. "Abyssal" emphasizes the darkness, and "Demon Blade" captures the menacing, mystical quality. 3. **Void Shroud (공허 장막)** - Explanation: A protective barrier. "Void Shroud" conveys both the emptiness and the enclosing nature of the concept. 4. **Belief Blade (신념의 칼날)** - Explanation: A weapon created from belief or determination. Retains its metaphorical nature as a weapon forged from inner conviction. 5. **Founder of the Absolute Throne (절대 왕좌의 창시자)** - Explanation: Characterized as a sovereign of unparalleled authority. "Absolute Throne" indicates the ultimate authority, and "Founder" adds an element of origination and power. 6. **Expected Plagiarism (예상표절)** - Explanation: This refers to borrowing or utilizing concepts or strength anticipated from someone else’s narrative, which implicitly has a hint of irony or shirking originality. **Character-Specific Notes**: - Han Sooyoung's interaction reveals her strength and her willingness to lend narrative power, illustrating her trust and camaraderie with the protagonist. - The presence of the "Blade of Belief" indicates Kim Dokja's capacity to draw power from conviction and the narratives of others, an ability that seems enhanced by Han Sooyoung's support. **Note on Possible List Changes**: - The term "신념의 칼날" (Belief Blade) should be retained for its symbolic and battle application use, which is evident in the text and might recur. - "Void Shroud" and "Founder of the Absolute Throne" should be added to denote crucial elements introduced within this narrative context. [The narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ continues the tale.] The story we had crafted was our shield. 「"Kim Dokja! Dodge!"」 I could see it. Attacks I normally couldn't detect. Shink! Skirting the edge of the narrative storm, I held my sword steady and swung it horizontally. "Keep going! Don't give it a break!" Sparks flew from the creature's shin as it let out a howl. It had an effect. "Though it's an Outer God, its attribute is undead! Change ‘Blade of Belief’ to a holy attribute!" Without hesitation, I followed her instruction. When the power infused with the holy attribute meshed with the White Azure's energy and unleashed a sweeping sword gale, the lofty Outer God stepped back for the first time. We could fight. The power coursing through my body threatened to explode, forcing my muscles to scream and my joints to throb painfully from the recoil. Han Sooyoung's narrative was beyond what I could handle. [Your Incarnation Body is in a precarious state!] To delay internal injuries, I grabbed and downed pills from my pocket as I fought. Whenever swords clashed, my grip tore, bleeding. Every scar left on its body mirrored as a long gash on mine. This was the price for confronting an Outer God in just the fourth scenario. Yet, I didn't feel it was hopeless. 【Ooooooo】 Angry, the founder sprouted new bones from its waist, forming two additional arms. Each gripped a sword exuding a sinister aura. Han Sooyoung shouted. "Arondight and Galatine! You know them, right?" I did. Especially Arondight, which appeared even in Yoo Joonghyuk's 1,863rd regression. Both were relics tied to the King Arthur legend. "Don't be scared and fight! From what I see, they might be replicas!" The rush of adrenaline numbed the pain, and Han Sooyoung’s [Expected Plagiarism] foresaw its attacks. Guiding Arondight’s strike away, I severed the being's left arm, then deflected the incoming Galatine at its waist before again targeting its shin. Perhaps it was thanks to Han Sooyoung’s narrative. Everything felt so natural. The frustrated creature began unleashing its narrative in an explosive outpouring. Crescent-shaped aura waves enveloped the surroundings. I drew Han Sooyoung’s narrative to its peak and detonated it at my sword's tip. [The narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ amplifies the story’s volume.] I ceaselessly slashed, severing its endlessly regenerating arms. 【Oooooo?】 The mighty Outer God was taken aback. Every swipe of my sword sent Han Sooyoung’s narratives soaring in my mind. [The narrative, ‘Expected Plagiarism,’ accelerates the storyline.] A remarkably powerful and dynamic narrative. Hard to believe it was compiled by a single individual. I felt like a deity. The panorama seen by someone who has completed a story unfolded before me. Vast and indescribable, fleetingly meaningless to the point of nausea. A future scripted with sentences everywhere. A world dictated by the trajectories of my carving blade. I was living within such a thorough narrative web. I wanted to see what lay ahead. What awaited at the end of this path. What I ultimately faced at the climax of this story. "I loved the story." Drunk on that narrative, I swung my blade repeatedly. "I only came this far because I loved the story." Was that my sentence or Han Sooyoung’s? It didn’t matter anymore. Even if I was merely transcribing her tale, it was fine. If she would aid this timeline. If we could fight together now, perhaps we could restore this damaged world. Perhaps we could reach the world’s proper conclusion. The moment I got that far in my thoughts— Tsssk. I felt my strength rapidly drain as I withdrew from the creature. Suddenly, my stomach turned, and I retched uncontrollably. Ughhh. Vomiting the narrative I ingested, something inside rejected Han Sooyoung’s narrative. Someone was saying Han Sooyoung’s story wasn’t mine. 「Was there not a moment when you were pleased to receive the regard Kim Dokja was supposed to have?」 With vertigo, pitch-black darkness poured incessantly from my mouth. 「“What do you mean? You’re Kim Dokja too.” Didn’t those words provide relief, even for a moment?」 I shook my head to rid myself of the memory. 「Like someone intercepting a wrongly sent letter, didn’t you enjoy much for merely sharing his name?」 I heard an unseen wall tremble. 「Didn't you flee, afraid of sharing all with the real Kim Dokja?」 Holding my head, I shook it vehemently. Someone was speaking. There’s no need to fight forcibly. There’s no need to confront it. It’s been tough, hasn’t it? You only need to receive warm consolation. Live again in a new world with a different name. "Hey! Snap out of it!" The swing of Excalibur’s blade loomed in front of me. Impossible to evade. No place to run. In such a place— With a forceful push, I felt myself rolling on the ground. A loud explosion echoed nearby. A powerful narrative storm blew through. I saw the founder being flung away by the blast's aftermath. When I raised my head with labored breaths, Han Sooyoung stood before me. 「That was the cost she paid to change this world.」 When had the landscape changed? When did the number of narrative shards dwindle? [The narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ hesitates.] A large hole loomed in Han Sooyoung’s chest. From that void, white-hot letters crumbled into ash and scattered. “Han Sooyoung!” The place where the ash fell became a grey snowfield. Standing there, Han Sooyoung wiped the blood from her lips and looked at me. "It’s okay." She grinned, clutching her left chest as blood poured from her ears. “In my ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ comrades don’t die so easily.” I trembled all over. --- **Translated Terms and Context:** 1. **Holy Attribute (신성 속성)** - Explanation: An attribute related to holiness or divinity, often contrasting with dark or undead attributes. Seen in "Blade of Belief" when transformed. 2. **Galatine (갤러틴)** - Explanation: A fictional sword known in Arthurian legends, counterpart to Excalibur and Arondight, emphasizing its connection to legendary artifacts within the story. 3. **Arondight (아론다이트)** - Explanation: Encompassing its storied status connected to Lancelot and Arthurian lore, used within a narrative of mythic swords. 4. **Narrative Storm (설화의 폭풍)** - Explanation: A metaphor for a powerful narrative force or impact, suggesting an explosive outpouring of story-driven chaos. **Character-Specific Notes**: - The text elaborates on Kim Dokja's internal conflict regarding identity and belonging, mirroring themes in the narrative. - Han Sooyoung, leveraging her own narrative to counterbalance overwhelming odds, provides an insight into her resilience and strength. Her sacrifice and transformation bolster Kim Dokja’s narrative capacity. **Note on Possible List Changes**: - The terms "Narrative Storm," "Holy Attribute," "Arondight," and "Galatine" should be included, highlighting key thematic elements introduced. These terms ground the story within a canon of Legendary and Literary references. [The narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ temporarily halts.] The bold confidence I once had, declaring I'd write my own story, had vanished, replaced by an overwhelming fear that gripped my mind. "I am—" I didn't want to be left alone again. Han Sooyoung, coughing harshly, collapsed forward. As I hurriedly supported her, she looked up and said, "As a writer, you know. Telling the story you want isn't always a happy thing." Her face was growing pale. I frantically attempted to stop the bleeding, catching the flowing blood with my hands. Han Sooyoung gazed upwards at the sky. I needed to find a remedy, a potion, something, anything. 「In that moment, Han Sooyoung released an old fixation.」 Only upon seeing the sentences flowing out from her did I realize this wound wasn't just a physical one. 「The final sentence she would write, one she had never written before.」 Her foundational narrative was damaged. "Wait, wait a moment!" I shouted in denial. "This is an avatar, right? It's just an avatar, isn't it?" For 'that Han Sooyoung' to perish like this—it was inconceivable. She was the most cunning character from 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』. A writer who finds pathways through any adversity. Yet Han Sooyoung didn’t seem to hear my voice, merely continuing to gaze at the endless dark sky. As if something she sought was there. I followed her gaze. Beyond the Void Shroud, someone was still fighting. The trails of a meteor shower and the screams of Outer Gods rang out. Questions only surfaced belatedly. How had Yoo Joonghyuk arrived beyond that 'shroud' so timely? Where did the plausibility required for summoning him originate? Tsss. The aftershock coursing through Han Sooyoung’s body was tearing her apart. Her form was vanishing. Legs and torso dissolving into the storm’s vortex. Han Sooyoung had known from the start. What she needed to wager to alter predetermined history. 「The space of this world is limited.」 What she had to sacrifice to button up the first deception of the timeline. 「To write some sentences, others must first be erased.」 With every narrative line heard, Han Sooyoung faded a little more. The sentences she wrote disappeared into the void. Characters, events, themes—they scattered. I shook Han Sooyoung's shoulder. Her eyes, dimming, met mine. They seemed to see me, yet also peer into a distant eternity. Perhaps she gazed upon a pristine, untouched snowy field where no sentence had yet been penned. She asked me. "Why did you want to be a writer?" I opened my mouth like a fool. I thought I needed to say something. I wanted to find words that would hold Han Sooyoung here. But no words came. Despite all the sentences I had written, not a single one surfaced. Her fading hand brushed against my cheek. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the story you wanted." That was the end. I opened my mouth. "Ah, ah—" 「Han Sooyoung vanished.」 It must have been an avatar. Only an avatar disappearing. Han Sooyoung couldn't be dead. Han Sooyoung— [The narrative, ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,’ concludes its story.] And bit by bit, the narratives that filled my ears quieted. The stories that once chattered endlessly, ceaseless, ceased. [The narrative, ‘Expected Plagiarism,’ concludes its story.] When all narratives ended, I was left alone once more. Han Sooyoung’s ‘Indomitable Belief’ lay fallen on the ground. 「Why did you want to be a writer?」 Only after every sentence was erased, after all the stories I loved were lost, did I find my answer. “To know who I am.” I heard the sound of a wall inside me crumbling. --- **Translated Terms and Context:** 1. **Indomitable Belief (부러지지 않는 신념)** - Explanation: A fundamental conviction or determination that remains unyielding. Symbolizes Han Sooyoung’s enduring resolve even amidst her disappearance. 2. **Foundational Narrative (근원 설화)** - Explanation: The core story or defining narrative that sustains a character's identity and role within the plot. Here, it emphasizes Han Sooyoung’s critical role and her ultimate sacrifice. **Character-Specific Notes**: - Han Sooyoung's questioning of Kim Dokja reflects deeper introspection about their shared struggles and aspirations. Her disappearance marks a pivotal moment of emotional and narrative consequence. **Note on Possible List Changes**: - "Foundational Narrative" and "Indomitable Belief" should be acknowledged to capture significant thematic elements tied to character integrity and transformation. The narrative role and presence of these aspects are important in unfolding character developments.