Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 569

Chapter 569

**569 Episode 3. Protagonist(?) (6)**

I carefully reviewed the newly lengthened table of contents. Even as I watched, a new chapter was added to the list.

Episode 3. Protagonist(?) (6) +[21]
Episode 3. Protagonist(?) (5) +[24]
……
Episode 2. Rewrite (1) +[49]
Episode 1. The World After Completion (2) +[41]
Episode 1. The World After Completion (1) +[63]
Prologue. This is not an Announcement +[98]

It totaled 568 chapters.
What in the world had occurred?
Upon closer inspection, I noticed an event bonus chapter.
Thinking back, I recalled writing a side story like that for Yoo Joonghyuk’s birthday event.
But did I actually publish it within the main series?
I wished I could remember what it was about.
After a moment’s hesitation, I chose to look at the comments on the most recent episode.

[1 free daily pass will be deducted.]
[One random comment from the chapter will be released at random.]

A free pass?
—First.
The only comment visible was one from the middle of the rankings; all the others were obscured.
What was happening?
I went back to check the comments on earlier episodes.
As expected, I could see every comment up to chapter 552.
The issue was with the comments for the later chapters.

[You can read up to three free daily comments for chapters after 553.]
[You currently have 2 free daily passes.]
[If you run out of free passes, you can use coins to view the comments.]
[3,000 coins will be deducted for each comment.]

It was absurd.
3,000 coins for a single comment?
That was my entire fortune right there.
I resolved to begin with the free passes.
First, chapter 553.
[1 free daily pass will be deducted.]
—Oh?
I felt a prick of irritation.
I tapped on chapter 556.
[1 free daily pass will be deducted.]
[You have used up all of your free daily passes for today.]
ᅳWow, so it’s a story where the author possesses Cheon Inho?
Fortunately, this comment provided some context for the story’s content.
After all, the serialized text was depicting my current situation of being possessed.
My mind was reeling.
Who was publishing this?
Was someone else writing this story using my name?
If this is a novel, are my own thoughts being narrated?
「 If that’s true, then am I the one thinking, or am I being thought of. 」
I couldn’t say.
Nothing felt certain to me in that moment.

«There.»
Jung Heewon approached me after the food distribution had concluded and everyone was on a break.
«Mind if I sit with you for a bit?»
«Oh, of course.»
Jung Heewon settled onto the bench beside me. However, she didn’t speak immediately.
I had been too preoccupied to notice before, but it felt surreal to realize that a character I had written was now sitting next to me.
This person was undeniably real.
The pale skin, long hair, and the profound eyes looking back at me were all tangible.
Jung Heewon was truly here with me now.
«I wanted to apologize for earlier. Sein explained it was a misunderstanding. She said you look exactly like someone she detested…….»
«Don’t worry about it. It was a simple mistake.»
It wasn’t that I looked like him; I *was* the one she hated.
I retrieved a canned drink from my pocket and offered it to her.
«Would you like one?»
«Oh, thank you.»
We sat side-by-side, drinking in silence while gazing at the deserted train tracks, and I remembered a scene from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
Now that I thought of it, Kim Dokja had also sat on a platform at Geumho Station with Jung Heewon.
She had said.
«The train isn’t coming anymore, is it?»
No matter how long we waited, no train would arrive. Not the next one, or the one after that.
But the absence of trains didn’t mean immediate death for anyone.
«I suppose we’ll just have to get used to walking everywhere.»
Jung Heewon glanced at me and remarked.
«You’re remarkably calm, Inho-ssi. I wish I could be like that.»
«It’s because I have a habit of indulging in strange fantasies.»
Jung Heewon gave a faint, bitter smile at the phrase ‘strange fantasies’.
«That’s funny. Sein said something very similar.»
According to Jung Heewon, she and Kyung Sein had been trapped in the same area during the first scenario.
I knew the general story.
She explained that in her panic, Kyung Sein had managed to catch a bug for her, which was how they survived.
«Luckily, there must have been plenty of bugs there.»
«There was only one bug.»
«What?»
Upon reflection, our area had vending machines, so we were fortunate, but certainly not every area was the same.
There must have been places with very few bugs.
«I was the only one who survived because of that bug.»
«And Sein-ssi…….»
«It was self-defense. He had no right to complain, even in death.»
The expression on Jung Heewon’s face as she said this reminded me of the ‘Judge of Evil’ I knew from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
But she had killed a man? She didn’t seem the type from her appearance.
«By the way, Cheon Inho-ssi.»
«Yes.»
«Do you happen to know who I am?»
«Pardon?»
«And what you said before.»
What had I said before?
«That…… No.»
「 Heewon-nim… I love you… Surely… 」
I suddenly got goosebumps on my arms.
«Oh, that.»
In that situation, it was understandable why Jung Heewon might have misinterpreted me.
«You should just forget I ever said it.»
«Shall I?»
«Please.»
I thought I sensed a peculiar gaze from a distance; it was Kyung Sein, who had stopped squatting and was watching us intently.
Jung Heewon let out a sigh of relief.
«Thank goodness. I was actually a little concerned you might be a strange person.»
«You don’t need to worry about that.»
I dreaded to think what Ji Eunyoo would say if she found out.
What kind of author confesses their love to a character they created?
Jung Heewon scratched her cheek at my firm denial and smiled.
«Anyway, keep up the good work. I was surprised to see you distributing food earlier; I didn’t expect that.»

[Character ‘Jung Heewon’ has a faint sense of trust in you.]

Suddenly, I understood why Jung Heewon had initiated this conversation.

[The majority of your region now thinks of you as a leader.]
[You have conquered ‘Geumho Station’.]
[You will receive the sub scenario rewards.]
[500 coins have been earned.]
[If you survive to the fourth main scenario, you will receive additional benefits from completing the sub scenario.]
[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ says your clever maneuver is quite impressive.]

Wow, all these rewards?
The original Cheon Inho died immediately in the main story and never got to enjoy any of this.
I really need to be on good terms with Kim Dokja when I meet him.
Yes, Kim Dokja.
It was time to go find the real Kim Dokja.
«Is everyone ready to move out?»
«Yes.»
«Not quite, give us a moment.»
Kyung Sein and Lee Dansoo each held a pipe with a cloth wrapped around the handle for a grip. These were our makeshift weapons for now.
«But are you leaving the Cheoldoo Group behind? I thought you formed the group to take the lead in situations like this.»
She had a point.
However, if we were unnecessarily accompanied by the Cheoldoo Group and ran into Kim Dokja or Yoo Joonghyuk, it could cause problems.
Kyung Sein nodded in understanding.
«I see. It could be easily misunderstood. But if you put it that way, Cheon Inho-ssi’s very existence is an issue.»
«We’ll think of an excuse somehow.»
«What will you say?»
«Sein-ssi should be the one to explain, not me. Do you think Kim Dokja or Yoo Joonghyuk would listen to me?»
«Oh, right. Uh…… what should I say? I’m not good at talking. So, where would they be by now?»
«They’re probably just finishing the ‘Even Bridge’ scenario.»
In the original Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Kim Dokja and the others get separated when the Dongho Bridge collapses.
«Since Kim Dokja would have been swallowed by the ichthyosaur immediately, we’re more likely to meet Yoo Joonghyuk, Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Sangah, Lee Gilyoung…… and the other members first.»
That was the logical assumption.
Of course, that was assuming the scenario unfolded identically to the original.
«We’ll probably meet Han Myungoh, too.»
It was Lee Dansoo who said that.
It seemed he was finally ready to go, and something was floating above his head. He must have received some kind of privilege from his constellation.
Thank goodness, it didn’t seem to be a terrible constellation.

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ looks forward to incarnation ‘Lee Dansoo’.]

«So just the three of us are going like this? Will that be alright?»
Lee Dansoo wore a strangely concerned expression.
To be honest, I was worried too.
Our party currently consisted of a man with a naturally muscular build and a girl with the soul of a muscular man.
«Do either of you have any combat skills? Like [Weapon Training]?»
In response to my question, Kyung Sein and Lee Dansoo shook their heads in unison.
We didn’t even have the fundamentals.
But Kyung Sein was confident.
«Still, I think we can handle a few ground rats, right? We’ve got some experience now.»
I had to agree.
This was who we were.
A party comprising the author of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (though Kyung Sein and Lee Dansoo were unaware) and two completionists of the story.
Ultimately, it was a tale where the author, the reader, and the protagonist join forces to reach the ending; there was nothing we couldn’t overcome.
«By the way, can we discuss the novel so openly? The constellations—»
«It should be fine. Even in Omniscient Reader, all mentions of Ways of Survival were filtered out at the start.»
«But there’s no guarantee it will be the same here—»

[The constellation ‘Monarch of the Small Fries’ grumbles, wondering what you are all talking about.]
[The constellation ‘Pig Living in a Brick House’ complains that the conversation was filtered incorrectly.]

Kyung Sein shook her head in amazement.
«Wow, it’s true. As expected of Omniscient Reader.»
Was that an insult or a compliment?
I decided not to ask.
We stepped into the tunnel leading straight to Oksu Station.
As the oppressive darkness of the confined tunnel swallowed us, I became acutely aware of my own heavy breathing.
One step, then another.
A chill seeped into my ankles with each movement. The feeling of genuine danger was palpable.
All three of us seemed to share the same thought, but no one gave it voice.
Finally, Kyung Sein, who possessed the soul of a muscular man, was the first to speak.
«Should we just turn back? I mean, we could wait at Geumho Station and still meet them eventually, so why take the risk?»
«It’s better if we meet them on the way. You know, in case something has changed.»
«Right…… the first scenario has already been altered.»
«Let’s keep going, and if it looks too dangerous, we’ll retreat.»
Of course, I had no real intention of turning back. For my own safety, making contact with the main characters at this juncture was crucial.
The worst-case scenario was that Kim Dokja and the others were dead.
But even if they had all perished, one person would undoubtedly remain alive.
Yoo Joonghyuk.
The true protagonist of ‘Ways of Survival’ and the strongest incarnation in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
If things had truly gone wrong, someone would have to confront him in Kim Dokja’s stead. Someone would need to persuade him, negotiate with him, and find a way to see this damned scenario through to its conclusion.
「 But which one of us is capable of that? 」
I was lost in thought for a second. Returning to the present, I heard Kyung Sein and Lee Dansoo talking. They had squatted down together and seemed to have grown quite close.
«Did you also sign a sponsor contract?»
«Yes.»
«With whom?»
«Sneaking Schemer.»
«Sneaking Schemer?»
I had told him not to discuss it, but he couldn’t help boasting.
For the record, Lee Dansoo still confuses ‘Sneaking Schemer’ with ‘Secretive Plotter’, the most formidable constellation in Omniscient Reader.
And right then,
«It’s not that constellation?»
He realized his mistake.
«Did you only skim the novel?»
Ahjussi asked, his voice full of disbelief, and Kyung Sein frowned.
«What are you talking about? I read it thoroughly. I’ve also read the ‘Encyclopedia of Omniscient Reader’ compiled by ‘RepresentativeKimDokja’ at least ten times. How many times have you read it?»
«What’s that?»
«Never mind. The constellation you’re thinking of is ‘Secretive Plotter’, not ‘Sneaking Schemer’. How could you mix them up?»
«No way…….»
Lee Dansoo’s pupils dilated as if shaken by an earthquake.
«I-I’m certain Jiyoon told me this constellation was the greatest…»
«Whoever Jiyoon is, you’re completely mistaken. They sound like a dubious constellation.»
«Jiyoon is my daughter.»
As I listened to their exchange with interest, I suddenly noticed I hadn’t heard any messages from the ‘Sneaking Schemer’.
If someone talked about you so openly, wouldn’t you say something? Had the constellation left the channel?
A sudden nervousness gripped me. If we had caused Bihyung’s channel to lose popularity, the planned negotiations for a streaming contract could collapse.
‘Bihyung. Are you there?’
Even when I tried calling out to him, there was no reply.
Had we lost the connection?

[A few constellations are discussing who the ‘Sneaking Schemer’ is.]

I realized the channel was still active, as other constellations were responding.
I could figure that out later; now it was time to move.
«Let’s pick up the pace a little.»
«Okay.»
«Let’s go.»
One minute later
«We’re slowing down.»
«Inho-ssi should take the lead. You’re the leader.»
This was not a powerful party of an author and two completionists; it was just a party of cowards.
At this rate, we could walk all day and still not reach Oksu Station.
«Hey, guys.»
Unexpectedly, it was Lee Dansoo who spoke up, looking like he had been pondering something.
«If it’s alright with you, I’d like to do a bit of scouting ahead on my own.»
«What? You’ll get yourself killed, ahjussi. Your sponsor isn’t the Secretive Plotter.»
«I know. My sponsor is the Sneaking Schemer.»
For some reason, in that moment, Lee Dansoo resembled a dashing version of Kim Dokja.
«So there’s something I can try.»
Ahjussi stared at the ground and muttered something under his breath.
A moment later, dozens of cockroaches swarmed across the floor.
«U-uaak!»
Kyung Sein clung to me. I took a step back to avoid her.
The cockroaches that had gathered near ahjussi moved their antennae as if communicating with him, then began marching in a single file toward Oksu Station.
Kyung Sein waved her hand and asked.
«Ahjussi. Isn’t that [Diverse Communication]? How did you get that skill? Is your attribute [Insect Collector]?»
If I remembered correctly, only a few main characters in the original story possessed that skill.
He wiped the sweat from his brow and said.
«I got it from the constellation.»
From the constellation?
His sponsor gave him a skill like that?

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ re-enters the channel.]
[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ is surprised to see how far you’ve come.]

For the briefest moment, a terrible thought flashed through my mind.

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ smiles happily at the cockroaches.]

It couldn’t be…….
Surely not?