Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 584

Chapter 584

584 Episode 6. Star Relic (1)
Back when I was still unfamiliar with web novels, I briefly went to a web novel academy on Ji Eunyoo’s suggestion.

The instructor was a writer who had once defined an era of genre fiction.

He spoke in a hushed, anxious tone and his words came out very slowly, which is the reason I slept through the entire lecture.

There was, however, one piece of his advice that I never forgot.

“Never be afraid to include opportunities; the more, the better. Hand them to your protagonist.”

That instructor, who lived by that philosophy, vanished from my life. I used to imagine that perhaps he had been reborn into the world of his own story.

Just as I have been now.

«I-It’s really here! Inho-ssi! It’s true!»
«It is.»

Who could have guessed I would be the one to claim the opportunity.

Kyung Sein shrieked with joy, shaking the box and turning it over again and again.

«How could you tell? Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint doesn’t say anything about this!»

Truthfully, I was just as bewildered.

This box was an artifact mentioned in the ‘preliminary manuscript’ for chapter 23 of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.

「 An item from the manuscript that was cut from the second draft. 」

In any case, the setting existed, so I checked on the off chance, and the item was indeed there.

This raised a question.

If this were a setting from ‘Ways of Survival’, then of course Kim Dokja would have used this box in the original story.

But since Kim Dokja never used it, it means this ‘box’ is absent from the published text of ‘Ways of Survival’.

So when did this setting come into being?

The moment I conceived of it? The instant Han Sooyoung gave me the manuscript?

The more I pondered it, the more my thoughts spiraled.

Is this truly the ’41st turn’ of the Ways of Survival that I am familiar with?

I have no answer.

For the time being, we have the item, so that’s what matters.

I answered Kyung Sein.

«It just came to me that this box was originally an item created and then abandoned by a dokkaebi from the Bureau.»

The box, dangerous enough to destabilize a scenario, was once a Bureau item designed by an insane dokkaebi.

«Oh… is that so?»
«But would they really have discarded only one such item… just a single one in this spot?»
«Wow, seriously. Wow.»

After hearing my explanation, Kyung Sein and Dansoo ahjussi took their knives and began probing the ground.

Naturally, they wouldn’t find another box.
There are only two of these in existence.

[Some constellations are astonished by the discovery of the item.]
[A handful of constellations are protesting, demanding to know when such an item was released.]
[A very few constellations are beginning to raise concerns about the probability.]

A few constellations started to object, but it seemed Bihyung hadn’t received any notification.

I considered what would happen if we shut the channel and fled like in the original plot, but I was relieved.

I needed to witness the constellations’ responses.

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is intrigued by your fortune.]
[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ inquires if that box is genuine.]
[The constellation ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ is staring in disbelief.]

In this world, there are countless ‘readers’, myself included.

From what I discovered fighting the Misreading Association, readers are possessing not just incarnations, but constellations as well.

[The constellation ‘Primordial Cow’ taps its chin with a front hoof.]

I scrutinized the indirect messages from the constellations.

If any of them were readers, they would inevitably let slip some clues.

[The constellation ‘Pig Living in a Brick House’ stacks up bricks.]
[A constellation who hasn’t revealed their modifier urges you to enter the box.]

I watched each new message, attempting to discern their identities.

Some seemed like ordinary constellations.
Some appeared to be possessed by a reader.
Some I couldn’t determine if they were a reader or a constellation.
Some were possessed by a reader but were committed to their constellation’s persona.
Some were possessed by a reader who didn’t grasp the concept of being a constellation.
And some were just plainly bizarre.

Naturally, this was all my own speculation.

But really, what can you discern from a single line of an indirect message?

They’ve all been reading Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, so it shouldn’t be hard for them to mimic a constellation’s behavior.

Speaking of which… Where is Sneaking Schemer?

I was most interested in that one’s reaction.

«I think that’s the only box; I can’t find anything else.»

Apparently, Kyung Sein and Dansoo ahjussi were still searching.

«Ugh… well, we have one. It’s a shame we don’t have a Broken Faith, because that’s the only other thing we’d need for Unbroken Faith!»

As Kyung Sein noted, that would be all we required, but I couldn’t obtain a Broken Faith immediately.

So I reached a decision.

«I’ve been considering this, and since we’re here, why don’t we attempt a different approach?»
«A different approach?»

I retrieved an item I had acquired near the box.

[Item information]
Name: Unformed Idea
Rating: D
Description: A weapon from the past without a defined shape. It had the potential to become anything, but in the end, it became nothing.

An item that, at first glance, resembles spoiled jelly.

«If it’s alright with you, I was thinking we could put this item in instead.»
«This is… an item that didn’t show up in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, right?»

Correct. It likely wasn’t used in Ways of Survival either.

Kim Dokja didn’t show any particular interest in this item.

Kyung Sein looked at the Unformed Idea and spoke.
«Well, we wouldn’t have found the box without you, Inho-ssi, so it’s your call.»

Dansoo ahjussi nodded in agreement.
«I think so, too.»
«Wow, we’re starting to feel a bit like ‘Kim Dokja’s Company’, aren’t we?»
«Haha, I suppose we are.»

They conceded so easily that I felt almost apologetic.
«Thank you, then.»

Without further discussion, I placed the ‘Unformed Idea’ into the ‘random item box’.

[A constellation who hasn’t revealed their modifier says it is a risky selection.]

I know it’s a gamble.

But no matter what I put in there, there was always a chance of failure.
«Now we need the catalyst material…»
«That’s the core of a demon species, correct?»
«Yes.»

To operate the box as in the original, we need to place the target item together with a Demon Species Core.

Regrettably, we failed to hunt the Dark Keeper, a 7th grade demon species.

For now, the best option is to acquire one through the auction… but I can’t imagine what kind of lunatic would risk a demon king’s curse to hunt a demonic species this early on.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ asks if you require a ‘Demon Species Core’.]

We looked up, surprised.

What was even more startling were its next words.
[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ says it can provide you with the ‘Demon Species Core’.]

Kyung Sein, who was also gazing at the air, asked in a reminiscent tone.
«Rice Cake-Eating Tiger is the one from the old fairy tale, right? ‘The Sun and the Moon’…»
I nodded.
That was the only Korean folktale that came to mind involving a ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ confirms it is him.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ picks his nose and asks if he’s a famous constellation.]
[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ timidly replies that it is somewhat famous on the Korean Peninsula.]

To receive an item sponsorship from a constellation so early. Even Kim Dok-ja hadn’t gotten such backing at this stage.

If he’s offering items with such sincerity, he must have a motive.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ says it has a small request in return for the ‘Demon Species Core’.]

Just as I thought.
«I appreciate the offer, but…»

Typically, a deal like this comes with an outrageous demand.
That’s one of Kim Dokja’s proverbs.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ says it only requires your attendance at one ‘Twelve Zodiacs Ball’ later on.]

Twelve Zodiacs Ball?

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ says it is merely a social gathering for the twelve zodiac signs.]

This was another unanticipated proposal.

Twelve Zodiacs Ball.
It’s probably the zodiac equivalent of a ‘Constellation Banquet’ or the ‘Gourmet Association’.

Listening to the message, Kyung Sein and ahjussi whispered to each other.
«Wow, it’s the <Twelve Zodiacs>…»
«That’s the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Right?»
«That’s… correct.»
«When I was little, there was a cartoon movie with the twelve zodiacs as the main characters…»

In the original Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, the constellations of the nebula <Twelve Zodiacs> were adversaries of Kim Dokja.

But this time, the circumstances are somewhat different.
Is it because I’m a villain?

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ says there is no need to feel any pressure.]

I made my choice.
«I will attend the Twelve Zodiacs Ball. Is that truly all that is required?»

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ affirms that is truly all.]
«Alright, then.»

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ is immensely pleased.]
[A ‘7th grade Demon Species Core’ has been sponsored.]

It was an exceedingly generous sponsorship.

A pitch-black orb materialized out of thin air.
‘7th grade Demon Species Core’.
Its color was even superior.

Tsuchuchuchut.
Judging from the faint sparks, it seemed ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ had expended a significant amount of probability.

What is his aim, showing this level of dedication to me when I’m not even his incarnation?

[The constellation ‘Primordial Cow’ is sharing the probability cost of ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’.]
[The constellation ‘Pig Living in a Brick House’ is sharing the probability cost of ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’.]
[The constellation ‘Dog Who Threw Himself Into the Flames’ is sharing the probability cost of ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ applauds the animal brethren.]

Anyway, thanks to the animal companions, all the components were gathered.

Looking at the radiant core, Kyung Sein said excitedly.
«Okay, go ahead and put it in, Inho-ssi!»
«Why don’t the three of us cover it together?»
«Sure.»

We placed our hands over the box.
Kyung Sein chanted.
«God! Buddha! Demon King of Salvation! Please!»

A moment later, a brilliant light erupted from the box.

***

A location dozens of paces from the heart of the ‘Edge of Darkness’.

In the center of the deep, black ether of the ‘Dark Root’, a woman in a white coat stood.
«Wow…»

She frowned at the distant glow of the ‘random item box’.
«Even the box was taken? From me? How is that possible?»

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ demands to know why you didn’t act faster.]
«Who’s that?»

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ suggests he seems to be a reader from another world line.]
«A reader?»

[The constellation ‘Sneaking Schemer’ agrees.]

The woman tilted her head at that, then smiled, baring her fangs.
«Not a guy?»

In her hand was a ‘Broken Faith’ that no reader in this world should have been able to obtain.