Side Story: Episode 21-14 - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Episode 21. Kim Dokja (14) As the wall crumbled, memories surged forward from beyond. Memories that I hadn't believed were mine. The lines of words I had kept at a distance, like the author from their characters, seeped into my skin, veins, and mind. In the distance, I saw the founder of the Absolute Throne approaching. Though he had lost one wing, he had survived that explosion and was walking on, intent on bringing about the ruin of this world. "Then who am I?" Amidst the creeping cold, I pondered my arrogance. The arrogance that tried to observe this story, that dared to attempt writing this world. "Han Sooyoung." I couldn't sense the presence of Han Sooyoung anywhere. Her tale was undetectable. "Why did you want to become an author?" With Han Sooyoung's sword in hand, I slowly rose to my feet. The tale that once protected me was gone. "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint" had ceased, and "Expected Plagiarism" could no longer predict the future. From afar, he raced toward me, and I, too, charged at him. We slashed at each other's flesh with our swords. As I felt the pain of the blades piercing through living flesh, I thought to myself, "It is not enough to just be an author." To truly witness the conclusion of this story, I couldn't occupy such an arrogant position. "I must live properly in this world." I must face it. I must live in this vivid world of blood and swords. I must become a pure character. The person who knows this story better than anyone. The one with the only chance to clear this scenario. Amidst the storm of magic raining down, the founder of the Absolute Throne asked, 【Who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you】 "I am Kim Dokja." It wasn't [Incitement]. He tilted his head in puzzlement, clearly not recognizing who Kim Dokja was. "I am." So once more, I declared, "Kim Dokja." Uttering that cursed name. [A tale, 'The Recorder of Vanished Things' begins to unfold] A fading story enveloped me. Feeling the tale coursing through my veins, I recalled the moment I first entered this world. I remembered the story I had wanted to write. I wanted to write about extras, forgotten things, about the unnoticed. Now I had to admit it. It was all a lie. I simply wanted to tell my own story. [A tale, 'The Recorder of Vanished Things' absorbs the scattered fragments of the tale.] The sentences floating around shone with brilliant light and seeped into me. The fragments mixed chaotically, whispering words between the lines to me. "Don't run away, Kim Dokja." I didn't want to admit it. I wanted to flee. That's why I built a wall. I am an author. I am someone who can view this story objectively. I used those words to escape my past life. I was reincarnated as myself because I did not want to be Kim Dokja. But the reason my past self did not want to be Kim Dokja, in truth, was because he wanted to be Kim Dokja more than anyone else. Because he thought he couldn't be Kim Dokja. 【Throne, throne, throne, throne, throne】 I squeezed every bit of the tale and rushed at him. The "Unbreakable Conviction" radiated the White Azure Gang Qi. Almost simultaneously, his Excalibur also ignited. As a sharp blade pierced my belly, the sword I swung also cut through his torso. 【Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh】 Amidst the black dust, I saw him stagger back several steps. It was a critical hit at a glance. His arm could regenerate no more, and his weapon was down to only Excalibur. Even holding that Excalibur seemed to be a struggle. I swayed forward. Just the final blow is needed. With the ultimate hit, I can alter the first button of this world. A flash. A blink in my vision. When I opened my eyes, my perspective had changed. I realized I was kneeling. The extinguished "Unbreakable Conviction" lay discarded on the ground. The glowing eyes of the founder gazed at me from afar. The tale of a king. A flickering light. I had no strength left to resist. The founder, assessing my condition from twenty steps away, tentatively took a step forward. Now nineteen steps. [The temporary channel is restored!] At that moment, the channel opened. It was Bihyung. ―You're back, you bastard! Damn it, what is this now! I mean, what on earth……. Sixteen steps. ―Hey! I'll summon you back right away― "Don't." ―What? Swallowing the breath caught at the brink of my throat, I grasped the fallen sword once more. "I won't go back." Not until I've killed him. I steadied my spinning head and looked down at the floor covered in the white ashes of the tale. There was no trace of her story anywhere in the world. Yet, "She's alive." That's what I wanted to believe. She must be alive somewhere. I couldn't bear it if she wasn't. "Han Sooyoung is alive here." She remained in every erased line between the words she wrote. I swept my palm across those spaces and spoke. "Bihyung." I communicated briefly through the 'Dokkaebi Communication'. After hearing my story, Bihyung spoke up. ―...Fine. It violates the contract, but I'll overlook it this time. There's no other option right now. Bihyung accepted my proposal. ―In return, I'll charge you double the commission in the future. Subsequently, a scenario unraveled from the void. [A new sub-scenario has arrived!] Warmth began to return to the place where the story bloomed once more. [The region departure penalty of the scenario is lifted.] The cold retreated, and I returned to the scenario. + <Sub Scenario ― Founder of the Absolute Throne> Classification: Sub Difficulty: ??? Clear Condition: Kill the founder of the Absolute Throne. Time Limit: ― Reward: ??? Failure: ― + The instant I saw the scenario details, I realized how utterly preposterous the enemy I fought was. ### Translation Notes 1. "절대 왕좌의 창시자" translates to "Founder of the Absolute Throne." It is a title reflecting the character's ultimate ambition and leadership over a powerful domain. 2. "설화, ‘사라질 것들의 기록자’" translates to "A tale, 'The Recorder of Vanished Things'." This represents the evolving narrative focus on forgotten and unnoticed elements, highlighting Kim Dokja's introspection and transformation. 3. "백청의 강기" is translated to "White Azure Gang Qi," a poetic term indicative of martial energy or aura, conveying imagery and symbolic significance. ### Additional Context - Kim Dokja's realization and identity struggle underscore the layered narrative of "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint" (전지적 독자 시점), where characters grapple with self-perception and acceptance amidst transcendent challenges. - Bihyung's communication reflects desperation and negotiation, crucial for plot progression and character development in high-stakes scenarios. - Emotional tones of perseverance, identity, and transformation are accentuated, emphasizing Kim Dokja's evolving role and the broader narrative tension. ### Suggested Adjustments - Maintain "Kim Dokja's Company" related titles. - Continue exploration of "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint" (전지적 독자 시점) implications for character development and broader plot dynamics. The unthinkable adversary whose difficulty level was not even indicated. And yet, I had pushed him to the brink of collapse. He now stood just eleven steps away. I possessed not a single ounce of magic left within me. Knowing this, he approached cautiously. However, I still had one final method left to use. The channel had opened, and now the stars must surely be watching. “I will make a contract with a Patron.” Despite my declaration, the stars in the night sky did not respond. The reason soon became clear. [The Constellations of <Asgard> mock your judgment.] Constellations, who bore grudges from past grievances, were attempting to sabotage me. [The Constellations of <Olympus> declare hostility toward Constellations contracting with the Incarnation 'Cheon Inho.'] I let out a laugh into the empty air. I see. So that is your decision. The founder, who had closed to within nine steps, called my name. 【Kim Dokja】 “A name is important, after all. Every story is completed only once it has a name.” In this world, everything is composed of tales, and every tale is complete only with a name. The coordinate that designates a single constellation in the vast universe. The sole language to gather the scattered light across a black night sky. “At least in this world, there is one star that will aid me.” A constellation that desires not my tale nor forces an unfair contract upon me. He had many names. The first name was too grand and distant, its true identity unknown. Eight steps. The founder’s pace quickened. The second name was one I could not fully pronounce in my current state. Seven steps. There was nowhere he existed by the third name. Six steps. And only one name remained for me to call. Five steps. As soon as he stepped into attack range, the founder swung Excalibur at me. He surmised I no longer had the strength to counter. I opened my mouth. [Sub-skill, 'Narrative Reinforcement' is activated!] [You may input your action.] [The action you input will be 'reinforced.'] [Additional plausibility can be supplied to enhance the reinforcement level.] [Current available plausibility: 580] [All available plausibility is used.] “I will make a contract.” He will surely read these words. Using every ounce of remaining strength, I swung the sword. Clang! The ‘Unbreakable Conviction’ that clashed with Excalibur flew into the air. The flustered founder twisted his trajectory towards my waist as I suddenly rose and drew the 'Sign Slash Sword' from my side. By the slightest margin, my blade slashed his side first. The founder, perhaps underestimating me, looked utterly surprised. His assumption was correct, in a way. Yet he would not anticipate what was about to transpire right in front of him. 【Oh oh oh oh oh oh】 Sensing something amiss, he rattled the skeleton while retreating. I stepped forward, inhaling deeply. The tale of my Patron coalesced into the blade. “It’s my favorite tale.” As he charged while screaming, I thrusted the sword without hesitation. The cutting Qi, far more refined than the [White Azure Gang Qi] I used, pierced his abdomen. 【That oh oh oh oh oh】 The flustered founder was attempting to communicate through the veil using a link. But I had no intention of allowing it. “Sign Slash Sword.” As I spoke, the constellations inscribed on the blade of the Sign Slash Sword started to light up one by one. Typically, to illuminate all constellations of the 'Sign Slash Sword,' the support of seven high-ranking Constellations was needed. But at present, one constellation was enough. The founder staggered back, trembling. He, a mighty divine being from the other world, was not afraid of a mere sacred relic of high-ranking Constellations. He recognized the tale imprinted within this sword. [A tale, 'King of a World Without a King' begins.] With the blade embedded in his chest, I swung it vertically and split his head in half. His fragmented form split in two, scattering away with a scream. The severed link sparked in the air and eventually burnt out like a candle with no wick left to burn. [You have cleared the sub-scenario!] [The fourth main scenario has concluded.] ...... [You have achieved an unprecedented accomplishment.] [Numerous Constellations enter the temporary channel!] Stars were beginning to appear one by one against the backdrop of the obsidian curtain. The Constellations who had ventured to the 'Great Hall' to witness me despite the danger. The 'Content Management Bureau' sends you accolades for your achievement. [The 'Content Management Bureau' is preparing a reward befitting your achievement.] [A new tale has been obtained.] In the night sky void of a king, abundant stars arose. As I looked up at those stars, I reminisced about a man who had seen the same view long ago. “This story is still Kim Dokja’s story.” The name I loved, hated, and despised. “But it is still not just a story for the sole Kim Dokja.” [An unnamed constellation reveals their epithet.] [The Patron Contract is completed.] With Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st regression carried on my back, I observed our star. A star I thought I might never find, hidden among the multitude. The star Yoo Joonghyuk sought so desperately, the star Han Sooyoung wished to meet. [Your Patron is the ‘Demon King of Salvation.’] ### Translation Notes 1. "사인참사검" translates to "Sign Slash Sword," suggesting a highly unique and possibly powerful weapon associated with constellations and tales. 2. "백청강기" is previously referenced as "White Azure Gang Qi," a poetic term indicative of martial energy or aura. 3. "성좌" translates to "Constellations," indicating powerful beings involved in contracts with incarnations. 4. "구원의 마왕" translates to "Demon King of Salvation." While "마왕" often refers to a demon king or dark lord, the juxtaposition with "Salvation" suggests a complex and perhaps redemptive role. ### Additional Context - Kim Dokja's identity and narrative challenge revolve around embracing roles far beyond his initial scope, as depicted by his interaction with powerful constellations and recognition of his story's trajectory. - The scenario's clearing marks a pivotal transition in the narrative arc, with star alignments representing both divine intervention and evolving plot elements. ### Suggested Adjustments - Utilize "Sign Slash Sword" consistently within related contexts and scenarios. - Explore "Demon King of Salvation" (구원의 마왕) layers to reveal potential narrative shifts and relationships within the story arc.