Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 572

Chapter 572

572 Episode 3. Protagonist(?) (9)

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ is warning you.]

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ is glaring at ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ with cold eyes.]

An internal alarm began to blare.

I’m encountering Yoo Joonghyuk first?

What happened to Lee Hyunsung? Yoo Sangah? Lee Gilyoung and Han Myungoh?

Do they even ‘all’ exist in this place?

The instant my eyes met Yoo Joonghyuk’s penetrating gaze, a chill of dread cascaded over me.

「 The original Cheon Inho didn’t meet Yoo Joonghyuk at this moment. 」

I fought to maintain a calm exterior.

A swift look behind me confirmed that Jung Heewon, Kyung Sein, and the ahjussi Dansoo were still unconscious.

My only option was to talk myself out of this.

Fortunately, if my opponent was Yoo Joonghyuk, I had numerous scripts I could follow.

In these early stages, Yoo Joonghyuk is somewhat gullible; I might escape by pretending to be a prophet, just like Kim Dokja did.

«Answer me. What is your purpose for lurking in this area?»

Yet, the moment those words reached me, a sense of wrongness took hold.

My first clue was the weapon gripped in his hand.

A spear that appeared to be fashioned from the bones of some monstrous species.

Abruptly, I felt my skin crawl.

「 The Yoo Joonghyuk of the third round does not wield a spear. 」

Activating ‘Character List’ was an instinctual decision.

[‘Character List’ is activating!]

[The exclusive skill ‘Character List’ is activated!]

[There is too much information about this person. ‘Character List’ is converted to ‘Character Summary’.]

A wave of slight dizziness washed over me as Yoo Joonghyuk’s information materialized before my eyes.

<Character Summary>

Name: Yoo Joonghyuk

……(Omitted)……

Exclusive Skills: [Sage’s Eye Lv.9], [Hand to Hand Combat Lv.10], [Weapons Training Lv.10], [Mental Barrier Lv.6], [Crowd Control Lv.7], [Reasoning Lv.7], [Lie Detection Lv.7]…….

The list of skills seemed endless.

But that wasn’t what shocked me.

The moment I saw Yoo Joonghyuk’s ‘attributes’ and the word ‘Regressor’ on the list, my mind went completely blank.

「 How in the world is this possible? 」

A single, terrifying thought dominated all others.

「 If I remain here, I will die. 」

And then he spoke.

«You must have encountered Anna Croft in the Chungmuro Tunnel. You have recalled the memories of the previous round…….»

I could only stare at Yoo Joonghyuk, utterly bewildered.

What was he talking about?

«Cheon Inho, why have you come? If your memories have returned, you would recall the agreement we formed.»

My head was spinning.

What on earth is this guy saying?

When I offered no reply, Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression grew stern.

«Why have you sought me out? Are you now dissatisfied with our arrangement?»

This was a critical emergency.

This turn of events was never mentioned in Omniscient Reader. The same was true for ‘Ways of Survival’.

[You want to do something unexpected.]

[The activation conditions for the exclusive skill ‘□□’ has been met.]

If possible, you should test every available option. Especially when your opponent is ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’.

[Your creativity is currently depleted and you can’t enter the ‘Snowfield’.]

[You can take a penalty and enter the ‘Snowfield’ once more.]

[If you make an additional entry, you will no longer be able to enter today.]

[Do you want to enter the ‘Snowfield’?]

I hesitated briefly.

Is this my final attempt for the day?

「 I will not enter. 」

Ultimately, I canceled the skill.

A greater crisis might be waiting; I couldn’t afford to use it recklessly.

I had to rely on my high-level eloquence for now.

Drawing a deep breath, I began my performance.

«Do you genuinely believe I came here for that arrangement?»

I sensed a momentary pause from him. Whether he had or not, I pressed on with audacity.

«I was merely scavenging the area for any useful items. It is naive of you to assume my first priority was to find you.»

As I spoke, I began searching the corpse of the deceased poisonous rhinoceros.

The poisonous rhinoceros was a 7th grade monster.

Acquiring a part of its body now would be incredibly valuable in the early stages.

«You…….»

I turned my head at the sound of his voice and found Yoo Joonghyuk looking down at me with scorn.

But why? The scorn was unmistakable.

«No matter how many cycles I endure, your wretched conduct remains unchanged.»

He wore a peculiar smile.

A flicker of hope ignited within me.

«I’ll take that as a compliment.»

As I started cutting off the poisonous rhinoceros’s small horn, Yoo Joonghyuk objected.

«That belongs to me.»

«You can have the small horn.»

«Have you always been this avaricious over such trivial things?»

I felt a sting of insult, but it was too late to turn back now.

«Not all of us begin with immense strength like a certain someone.»

Yoo Joonghyuk gave me an odd look.

«This cycle is truly strange. This also occurred during the first scenario……..»

«What occurred?»

«None of your concern.»

«What became of Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon? Why are they not with you?»

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes turned icy at my inquiries.

«Do not overestimate your importance, Cheon Inho. Do you truly consider us comrades? I am certain you have not forgotten the events of the last round.»

Confusion swamped me.

We had an arrangement, and now he claims we are not comrades.

What, then, is our relationship?

«Do not neglect your duties. Do not make me regret enlisting a worthless individual like you.»

Yoo Joonghyuk fixed me with a terrifying glare, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from widening.

Even narrow eyes can open wide.

«Thank you for the lecture.»

«Your tongue is even sharper than last round. Cease your dallying and return. You have tasks to complete.»

With those words, Yoo Joonghyuk collected several key parts from the ‘poisonous rhinoceros’ and turned back toward the tunnel.

«Do not seek me out again until you have accomplished what I commanded. If I find you wandering aimlessly once more, I will end you.»

I watched Yoo Joonghyuk’s retreating figure, step by step, and a sense of surrealism washed over me.

「 I am still alive. 」

A wave of relief followed.

I didn’t understand how, but I had survived. I had successfully deceived that ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’.

It was then I heard a rustling sound from the side. Jung Heewon, regaining consciousness, was sitting up a short distance away.

«Ouch, that hurts. Inho-ssi. Are you alright? Are you injured?»

In a panic, I hurried toward her. Through the settling dust, the sound of Yoo Joonghyuk’s footsteps halted.

«That is peculiar.»

My heart sank.

«I am certain including such a woman was not part of your plan.»

Goosebumps erupted across my skin. Standing atop the rubble, Yoo Joonghyuk stared at me with frigid eyes.

I struggled to conceal my terror.

«What does it matter who accompanies me?»

Instead of answering, Yoo Joonghyuk began walking back toward me.

A deep sense of foreboding gripped me. My instincts screamed of imminent danger.

Now.

[You want to do something unexpected.]

[Describe your own behavior.]

[You have spent 5 probability points.]

[The activation conditions for the exclusive skill ‘⬜⬜’ have been met.]

My writer’s intuition was screaming. I had to use it now. If I failed to navigate this crisis, I would die.

[You have exhausted the number of additional entrances to the ‘Snowfield’.]

[You will get a probability penalty.]

[You have entered the ‘Snowfield’.]

[Describe the next action of ‘Cheon Inho’.]

# Cheon Inho’s Death

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜

* At your current skill level, you can write a total of 150 additional characters.

[You have received a penalty.]

[You can stay in the ‘Snowfield’ for a total of 2 minutes.]

The scene’s title was horrifying.

‘Cheon Inho’s Death’.

I rapidly began composing a sentence. Roughly, it described Cheon Inho persuading Yoo Joonghyuk with brilliant rhetoric, overcoming the crisis and becoming his ally.

[This story is very unlikely.]

[This story’s reproduction success rate is 1%.]

[You’re running out of probability.]

[Do you want to check the reader’s feedback?]

rlaehrwk37: Would Yoo Joonghyuk truly accept Cheon Inho as an ally?

Perhaps that was too ambitious.

I resolved to use the hidden card I had been saving.

「 Then, Cheon Inho said. «Yoo Joonghyuk, you require a dependable companion. You cannot break through the 46th scenario alone. Shouldn’t you be well aware of this?»……. (147 characters in total) 」

As I wrote it, I thought this line could work, because it was precisely what Kim Dokja had said in the original story.

It was, in other words, a guaranteed cheat key.

[This story is out of character.]

[This story’s reproduction success rate is 3%.]

[You’re running out of probability.]

[Do you want to check the reader’s feedback?]

rlaehrwk81: Have you forgotten who you are?

rlaehrwk37: A Cheon Inho has a Cheon Inho’s life.

Right, a Lee Hakhyun has a Lee Hakhyun’s life, so I should write it like Lee Hakhyun.

「 Then, Cheon Inho said. «Yoo Joonghyuk. In truth, my name is not Cheon Inho, but Kim Dokja. I have read your entire novel and…….» (149 characters in total) 」

[This story is a mess.]

[This story’s reproduction success rate is 0.01%.]

「 Then, Cheon Inho said. «Respected Yoo Joonghyuk, please allow me to serve as your subordinate!»…… (148 characters in total) 」

[This story is ordinary.]

[This story’s reproduction success rate is 3%.]

「 Then, Cheon Inho said. «Actually, I am a prophet…… (147 characters in total) 」

[You story is impossible anyway.]

[The ‘Snowfield’ begins to doubt your talent.]

[This story’s reproduction success rate is 1%.]

Perhaps this is the end of a Lee Hakhyun’s life.

[There are 10 seconds remaining.]

I recalled Ji Eunyoo’s final piece of advice.

「 Now, what does Yoo Joonghyuk desire? 」

I closed my eyes and pondered. And then I understood.

[Failed to recreate the scene.]

There was no way I could know that. I can’t even comprehend what he’s saying now, so how could I possibly know what he wants?

[Leaving the ‘Snowfield’.]

[Your creativity has been exhausted. You can no longer enter the ‘Snowfield’ today.]

Color flooded back into the world, and Yoo Joonghyuk’s footsteps resumed.

I swallowed hard, watching the situation unfold. I had failed to recreate the scene, but I wasn’t about to surrender.

«There are many peculiar individuals this round, right from the beginning.»

Yoo Joonghyuk’s grim voice cut through the cold night air.

«They were insignificant until the last cycle, yet they all suddenly approached me spouting nonsense as if bewitched.»

I believed I now understood what Yoo Joonghyuk was referring to.

Wait. It can’t be.

«They claimed I needed a companion to break through the 46th scenario, or that they were prophets.»

A cold sweat trickled down my spine.

Yoo Joonghyuk was smiling with a bizarre expression.

«There was even one who promised to guide me to the end of the world.»

«Inho-ssi, get back.»

Jung Heewon, sensing the danger, stepped in front of me, gripping the ground rat knife.

In the next instant, Yoo Joonghyuk’s figure vanished.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I heard the sound of wind rushing nearby. It was like the Grim Reaper whispering from the shadows, an implacable language of death I could not answer.

[The character ‘Jung Heewon’ has used ‘Kendo Lv.1’!]

Nevertheless, Jung Heewon answered him.

A metallic screech sounded before her, and brilliant sparks erupted in every direction.

Jung Heewon’s sword, blocking Yoo Joonghyuk’s spear, was shaking violently.

«Your Kendo is proficient. You are similar to Lee Jihye.»

«Inho-ssi! Who is this man?»

As I observed the blood dripping from the shaft of Yoo Joonghyuk’s spear, a horrifying realization dawned on me.

I wanted to ask him, what became of all those ‘prophets’ you met?

«Cheon Inho.»

Yoo Joonghyuk turned his gaze to me.

«Are you truly Cheon Inho?»

[The character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ has used ‘Lie Detection Lv.7’!]

His [Lie Detection] was level 7.

Perhaps this was my final opportunity.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.3’ is strongly activated!]

「 I am Cheon Inho. 」

In other words, if my performance was flawless, I could potentially deceive it.

«If I am not Cheon Inho, then who do you believe I am? What is the meaning of this?»

My heart hammered against my ribs.

And after a moment,

[The character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ has confirmed that the statement is true.]

That was it. He would have to believe me.

However, Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression remained peculiar.

«[Lie Detection] is not infallible. In the previous round, you deceived me without even employing [Poker Face].»

«…….»

«Cheon Inho. What was the first task you pledged to complete?»

I was momentarily speechless.

«That.»

A misstep here would be detected by [Lie Detection].

Should I use [Incite] again? Or—

Yoo Joonghyuk observed me with an inscrutable gaze and spoke.

«I will grant you a chance.»

Yoo Joonghyuk’s spear flashed, sending Jung Heewon’s sword spinning through the air.

As Jung Heewon reached out in shock to retrieve her weapon, Yoo Joonghyuk’s spear moved again.

The confrontation ended swiftly.

Blood poured from both her knees, and Jung Heewon, losing her balance, collapsed forward.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s left hand shot out.

«Keok.»

He seized Jung Heewon by the throat and moved to the edge of the bridge.

Yoo Joonghyuk looked back in my direction and stated.

«What I require is the great villain Cheon Inho, ‘The One Who Deceived the Stars’, the ‘Evil Sophist’.»

I didn’t know why Cheon Inho possessed such grandiose titles, but Yoo Joonghyuk’s intent was transparent.

«If you are indeed the ‘Cheon Inho’ I remember, prove it.»

Yoo Joonghyuk’s left hand began to tighten.

Jung Heewon’s face paled as she struggled. Below her feet stretched the hellish waters of the Han River, where the ichthyosaur roamed.

Yoo Joonghyuk demanded.

«Is this woman your comrade?»

Yoo Joonghyuk was testing me now.

Was I truly the ‘Cheon Inho’ he recalled?

Jung Heewon was watching me with trembling eyes.

Perhaps there was only one way to save her now.

I slowly closed my eyes and opened them again. The cold night air filled my lungs, and for a fleeting moment, I felt like a different person.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.3’ is strongly activated!]

[The synchronization rate with the possessed target is increasing rapidly!]

«Allow me to clarify one thing.»

I spoke with my signature malicious smile, whispering the secret.

«I have no comrades.»

Profound disappointment flickered in Jung Heewon’s eyes as she looked at me.

Yoo Joonghyuk gave a single nod.

«That is undoubtedly Cheon Inho.»

I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

This was the correct response.

I was certain of it.

«Then this woman’s death should be of no consequence to you.»

What?

Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand opened wide, and Jung Heewon’s body plummeted downward.

I channeled all my strength into my legs and lunged after her.

«As I suspected, you are not Cheon Inho.»

The world whirled around me, and Jung Heewon and I fell together from the bridge.

The icy wind scraped my cheeks, and the fishy stench of the river filled my nostrils.

I looked up at the dizzying view and saw Yoo Joonghyuk gazing down at us from above.

Release your grip and disappear, you bastard.

Then, the frigid water of the Han River assaulted my body, and the shock plunged my vision into darkness.

And then a message arrived.

[The dokkaebi ‘Bihyung’ has agreed to a ‘Stream Contract’ with you.]