Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 590

Chapter 590

590 Episode 7. Trauma (3)
The ‘next turn’ Yoo Joonghyuk had mentioned was the one I now found myself in.

「 41st turn. 」

That was what Yoo Joonghyuk said.

In this turn, everything in the universe would face permanent annihilation.

My heart began to pound.

What could that possibly mean?

I couldn’t get the image of those abruptly ending footprints in the snowfield out of my head.

[Your mental state is extremely unstable!]

[The skill ‘Incite’ is wavering.]

A faint spark flickered, and the memory grew distorted.

My sight blurred, and suddenly, Anna Croft was standing before me.

「 Who……. 」

The Great Demon’s Eye shone within one of her glaring pupils. Something had gone awry.

「 ……are you? 」

I was unprepared. The power of [Incite] had diminished, and my disguise as Cheon Inho had fallen apart.

「 You’re…… You are not Cheon Inho. 」

The mist surrounding me began to dissolve more rapidly.

Just as Anna Croft reached for me with a look of urgency on her face.

「 Anna, step back. 」

An unfamiliar voice spoke, followed by the sharp snap of fingers. At that sound, my vision went dark for an instant. And then.

*Thud.*

Something struck the back of my head. I turned around, my head throbbing with dizzying pain, and saw a woman holding the ‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick’.

«Huh? Inho-ssi?»

It was Jung Heewon.

It had been an unprecedented decision to give the ‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick’, cloned using an ‘Idea’, to Jung Heewon.

She was the sole member of our group who had not been trapped in the ‘Phantom Prison’.

«The monsters were acting strange. They didn’t attack me; they just stared…….»

«What did you do?»

«It was creepy, so I shut my eyes and swung at them, and then they just stopped…….»

I glanced down at the defeated Specter and let out a sigh. Jung Heewon chided me.

«You could have given me a bit more warning.»

That would have been ideal, but I disliked the idea of having to explain how I knew that the moment I told her.

Once again, I appreciated the wisdom in Kim Dokja’s words.

«I wasn’t entirely sure either. What about the others?»

«I moved them over there.»

I looked and saw Lee Dansoo stretched out on the ground and Kyung Sein curled into a tight ball.

«They’ve been like that for a while.»

I was taken aback. Lee Dansoo was clutching the original ‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick’, and Kyungsein held ‘Samyeongdang’s Beads’.

Even though I had given each of them an item with magic resistance, it hadn’t been sufficient.

Still reeling from the shock of their Phantom Prison experience, Lee Dansoo groaned like a sick man, while Kyung Sein crouched down, repeatedly pleading not to be hit.

I sat beside them and wiped the sweat from their foreheads.

Kyung Sein and Lee Dansoo.

These were the people who had demonstrated their ‘value’ during the notorious first scenario.

They hadn’t been afraid to look upon the dead, and they had fought courageously against those terrifying ground rats.

Perhaps that was why I had naively assumed they would be alright.

「 They are just ordinary readers. 」

It wasn’t the monsters or the killing; it was the reality they were forced into that had broken these two who had stood strong against the scenarios.

「 Ordinary people who had the misfortune to be transported into this world. 」

A cold feeling settled in my heart once more.

What was I going to do with them? Was I supposed to raise them, comfort them, train them, and lead them on some grand adventure?

Kyung Sein slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me.

«U-uuh……?»

She sat up unsteadily and glanced around with clear anxiety.

It was as if her tormentor was still hiding somewhere in the shadows.

I patted her on the back and spoke gently.
«Sein-ssi, we’ve taken care of all the Specters. We’ve collected the Specter Stones. You’re safe now, just try to breathe slowly.»

Kyung Sein, who was breathing heavily, let out a sound that was almost a sob.

«Inho-ssi…….»

«Yes.»

«Kim Dokja…… went through something like this. He managed to overcome something like this.»

It was undeniable; Kim Dokja was a remarkable person. The more time I spent in this world, the more I understood that.

«You overcame it too, Sein-ssi.»

Kyung Sein shook her head weakly and asked.
«Are you alright, Inho-ssi?»

«I’m fine.»

«How did…… Do you really have something like a ‘Fourth Wall’?»

«My life just hasn’t had many dramatic twists. Ahjussi, are you awake?»

Lee Dansoo, seeing my face, began to cry.

«Alive.»

I didn’t know what he had been dreaming about, but he grabbed my arm and used it to wipe his tears away.

«Hurry up…… Let’s get to the next station.»

I didn’t know what he had dreamed.

But I knew what he was hoping to find in this world when he woke up.

«We’re nearly at Chungmuro. You’ll find her soon.»

Reaching Chongmuro would initiate the third scenario, and once that concluded, we would be able to communicate with the other stations properly.

We would hear news of Jiyoon soon.

«Don’t worry, I’ll find her no matter what.»

The ahjussi gave a weak nod.

«Then let’s get going.»

As I helped Lee Dansoo to his feet, Jung Heewon did the same for Kyung Sein.

Jung Heewon asked, concerned.
«Will they be okay? Should we let them rest a bit longer…….»

«It’s safer to rest at the station. The tunnel isn’t secure.»

After just three stops, the two of them were completely drained.

Jung Heewon, walking beside me, asked quietly.
«Inho-ssi.»

«Yes.»

«You’re not pushing yourself too hard, are you?»

«I’m not.»

Lee Dansoo’s arm was damp with cold sweat against mine.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ looks at the group with concern.]

[The constellation ‘Pig Living in a Brick House’ cheers you on.]

Some readers in other areas might have encountered Specters too.

I wondered if they had survived.

[The constellation ‘Nail-Eating Rat’ is watching you.]

If they had died somewhere in this world, whose fault was it?

Whoever brought them here? Or—

「 «There is no way such a villain exists in this world.» 」

A wave of faint dizziness hit me, and I thought I could smell blood.

Was this another Specter?

Or had I never truly escaped the ‘Phantom Prison’?

«Wait. Something’s…… not right.»

Lee Dansoo spoke hesitantly.

There was a squelching feeling under my foot. When the smartphone’s flashlight illuminated the ground, it revealed a railroad track stained with blood. Scattered about were bodies that were neither human nor monster.

«Ugh.»

Kyung Sein fought back nausea and raised her shield, while Jung Heewon’s expression turned serious as she tightened her grip on the ‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick’ created by the ‘Idea’.

Yet, there was no sign of [⬜⬜] being activated.

If the situation was truly dangerous, the world would have lost its color first.

«Let’s proceed carefully. It’s not critical yet.»

I took the lead and began moving forward, clearing the tracks.

Some of the dead outer species looked familiar. They resembled the Ratmen we’d fought at the ‘Edge of Darkness’. There were also some that matched the reptilian creatures Bang Cheolsoo had described.

A significant battle must have taken place for so many to have died here.

Most of the corpses had bullet wounds.

«Mate.»

Lee Dansoo called out to me.

A light was visible shining in the distance.

«Ugh, over there.»

As Kyung Sein spoke, a girl doll became visible under the dim light.
She had her long hair in a ponytail.

«Ah…….»

The moment Kyung Sein saw her, she froze as if she’d been jolted by electricity.

And for a good reason.

Encountering that girl was confirmation that we had finally reached Chungmuro.

[The exclusive skill ‘Character List’ has been activated.]

[Character Summary]
Name: Lee Jihye

Age: 17 years old

Sponsor: Maritime War God

Exclusive Attributes: Scarred Sword Demon (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: [Sword Training Lv.3], [Demon Slaying Lv.1], [Absolute Sense Lv.3], [Ghost Walk Lv.1]

Stigma: [Sea Battle Lv.1], [Large Army Command Lv.1]

Overall Stats: [Physique Lv.16], [Strength Lv.15], [Agility Lv.16], [Magic Power Lv.11]

Overall Evaluation: An individual who evolved into a ‘Scarred Sword Demon’ after killing her closest friend. Her sponsor is suspicious of you.

* The ‘Starter Pack’ is currently applied.

The second member of <Kim Dokja’s Company> I was meeting in the 41st turn.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s first disciple, and the incarnation of the Maritime War God Yi Sunsin.

The sole survivor of Daepong Girls’ High School, Lee Jihye.

Wearing her signature hoodie zipped up, she was stamping her foot on the railroad tracks and gazing toward Chungmuro Station.

Jung Heewon whispered.
«Do you know her?»

Not yet.

If I had to answer.
«She’s the disciple of a bastard I know.»

Right then, an indirect message popped into my mind.

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ is moved at encountering an old companion.]

I recognized that the same message had appeared in the main story of Omniscient Reader.

The issue was the response that followed.

[Lee Jihye’s sponsor warns the ‘Bald General of Justice’ to retreat immediately because this place is dangerous.]

Dangerous?

[Main Scenario #2 – Meeting has concluded.]

[Compensation will be distributed.]

I dismissed the reward notification and looked back at my group.
«I’ll go first.»

Neither Kyung Sein nor Lee Dansoo were in any state to fight.

For now, I had to take the lead.

Just then, Lee Jihye, who had been standing with her arms crossed in the distance, looked over.

«Oh? What’s this?»

Lee Jihye’s hand went to her sword hilt, and Jung Heewon moved forward protectively.

I approached with my hands raised to show I meant no harm.
«Hello. We’ve come from Geumho Station.»

«You can’t come through here, turn back.»

Look at that.

Another deviation from the original story.

«We mean no harm. We wish to join Chungmuro. Will you allow us to enter?»

At this stage, Chungmuro would be engaged in the third scenario, ‘Green Zone’.

‘Green Zone’ is a scenario where you must occupy a ‘Green Zone’ within the station or be hunted by monsters each night.

Since Lee Jihye was a rival to Gong Pildu, the ruler of Chungmuro Station, there was no reason for her to turn us away.

«Master told me not to let anyone through.»

Yoo Joonghyuk?

«Is Yoo Joonghyuk in Chungmuro?»

«You know my Master?»

«I do.»

«Then why didn’t you say so before?»

As Lee Jihye’s eyes widened, she smiled and took a step closer.

«Master told me to kill anyone who claimed to know him.»

«Heewon-ssi!»

I shouted Jung Heewon’s name on instinct the same moment Lee Jihye vanished.

*Screech!*

Jung Heewon’s ground rat knife, enhanced with [Kendo], perfectly intercepted Lee Jihye’s [Sword Training].

Surprised, Lee Jihye muttered.
«Wow, look at this unni.»

Even though Jung Heewon’s overall stats were higher than in the original story, she and Lee Jihye were still evenly matched.

This indicated that Lee Jihye was also stronger than she had been at this point in the original.

«Heewon-ssi! Buy me a few minutes! Please!»

At my shout, Jung Heewon tossed something to me.

«Take this!»

It was the ‘Damaged Samyeondang’s Bamboo Stick’ created by the ‘Idea’.

I quickly caught the Bamboo Stick and said to the two behind me.
«Stay here for a moment.»

As I rushed past, Lee Jihye yelled sharply.
«Hey! Stop!»

According to the original, Chungmuro was currently on the second day of the ‘Green Zone’ scenario.

It was plausible for Yoo Joonghyuk to be in Chungmuro.

The problem was that this was the incomparable Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st turn.

I could hear the sound of a faint explosion coming from Chungmuro Station.

I quickened my pace, ignoring the sense of foreboding. A dozen steps later, the Chungmuro platform came into view.

The first thing I saw was a large hole in the center of the platform, and people hiding in the stairwells and other corners.

The terrified citizens were all watching two men fighting near the hole in the platform.

One of them was, without a doubt, Yoo Joonghyuk.

The issue was the other person.

«Damn you. How dare you trespass on my land?»

I knew who it was.

The short-tempered Yoo Joonghyuk had gotten into a conflict with Gong Pildu.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like a full-blown battle yet, so there was still a chance.

«Ahjussi, finish him off.»

A boy’s voice came from behind Gong Pildu.

Gong Pildu nodded in response.
«Yes. I intend to.»

It seemed he had already claimed this area as his [Private Property]. Mini-turrets emerged from his [Armed Zone] all at once.

Seven turrets in total.

That was two more than in the 3rd turn of Omniscient Reader.

But it still wouldn’t be enough to stop Yoo Joonghyuk.

*Kooooo.*

This was because, by the 40th turn, Yoo Joonghyuk was a monster who had already surpassed narrative-grade constellations.

The moment he wielded his spear, Gong Pildu would undoubtedly die.

[The character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ is considering an unexpected action].

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

[You have entered the ‘Snowfield’.]

Fortunately, the ‘Snowfield’ activated.

In the desaturated world, the mini-turrets began to charge, and Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand tightened on the handle of his spear.

It was a narrow escape.

I had to find a way to alter the narrative.

But.

[Your understanding of that character is absurdly low.]

[You cannot intervene in the character’s actions.]

Damn it.

I had seen this message before.

A few days ago, when the poisonous rhinoceros appeared, I entered the Snowfield, apparently due to that ‘unexpected action’ of Yoo Joonghyuk.

Then, like now, I couldn’t compose a sentence.

I didn’t know what kind of person Yoo Joonghyuk was in the 41st turn.

All I knew was that he was depicted as an extremely ruthless figure in ‘Ways of Survival’…….

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

I checked the feedback.

rlaehrwk99: But is the 41st turn Yoo Joonghyuk really that terrible?

rlaehrwk37: There’s no such thing as a bad Yoo Joonghyuk in this world.

And the moment I read that comment.

[Your understanding of the character ‘Yoo Joonghyuk’ has increased slightly.]

Something peculiar happened.