Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 593

Chapter 593

At the declaration of Representative Kim Dokja, the lively buzz of readers exchanging names and nicknames swiftly faded.

A profound stillness fell across the space, allowing me to clearly observe the gathered readers.

Their ages varied from teenagers to those in their sixties.

Some appeared to be friends or siblings; one wore an apron as if interrupted mid-cooking, another was in a sharp suit, and a few, clad in pajamas, lingered shyly near the pillars.

Evidently, this was a place where everyone manifested exactly as they were ‘the instant before their transmigration’.

Regardless of their backgrounds, every reader here shared the same solemn demeanor.

A deep, pervasive silence, so complete that not even a breath could be heard.

Finally, Representative Kim Dokja broke the quiet.

【I am certain you all possess numerous questions, yet you remain silent.】

Every survivor here was a seasoned veteran.

They were hardened individuals who had endured the horrors of the first and second scenarios.

【It is a well-known cliché that the first to speak up in such situations often ends up harmed. You are all quite familiar with such tropes.】

As if in sympathy, the corners of Representative Kim Dokja’s mouth lifted into a faint smile.

【You may set your worries aside on this occasion. I mean you no harm. Our Banquet is brief, so please, ask whatever you wish.】

The readers exchanged uncertain glances.

Despite his assurance, trusting him was difficult.

He had, after all, summoned every single reader here.

He likely possessed the power to eliminate everyone present with a mere snap of his fingers.

「 Naturally, that is assuming he can manage the resulting ‘probability’. 」

In the early stages of the scenarios, it was impossible for a high-grade constellation to manifest directly or summon such a vast number of incarnations.

That is why I felt able to raise my hand.

*Tsuchuchuchut.*

A faint current of sparks had been crackling around his form for some time.

A man already straining his limits would not frivolously execute incarnations like a dokkaebi for mere spectacle.

However, another reader raised a hand quicker than I.

Representative Kim Dokja acknowledged him.

【Ah, please proceed.】

He was a teenager, perhaps in his mid-to-late teens, with notably intense and serious eyes.

«Who are you? And where is this?»

【Questions of identity and location. An excellent start. Every story begins with these: who is the protagonist, and where does it take place?】

Representative Kim Dokja took a light breath, scanned the other readers, and continued.

【However, my identity and the nature of this place are irrelevant, for I am not the protagonist of this tale. I am merely—】

«Are you Kim Dokja?»

Gasps escaped several readers at the boy’s direct question.

This was undoubtedly the primary question on most minds present.

Was this ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ the ‘Kim Dokja’ they knew?

Representative Kim Dokja’s eyebrows rose slightly.

【You are free to form your own conclusions about me. I may or may not be Kim Dokja. But what matters more—】

«Actually, I don’t believe you are Kim Dokja.»

A subtle hostility laced the boy’s tone.

Representative Kim Dokja paused.

【What leads you to that conclusion?】

«The Kim Dokja I know would never bring us to a place of danger.»

His voice was measured and logical.

A girl, likely his sibling, stood beside him, her eyes unusually shut. It didn’t seem to be a natural trait, like Cheon Inho’s narrow eyes, but due to some other reason.

After observing the pair, Representative Kim Dokja smiled.

【Are the two of you siblings?】

«That’s not—»

【How touching. The Kim Dokja you envision would certainly never summon your blind sister into such a world. Is that your naive belief?】

As the boy clenched his fists, anger flashing across his face, the girl tightened her hold on his sleeve, silently urging restraint.

Representative Kim Dokja laughed, seeming pleased.

【Kim Dokja is not a character who offers sympathy for such reasons; if he were, he would not have allowed the old woman to perish in the first scenario.】

The line felt strangely familiar, and I recalled a similar scene I had written in Omniscient Reader.

【He manipulated people into killing one another at Geumho Station.】

Perhaps it was during the ‘Duet Between Good and Evil’.

【In ‘The Strongest Sacrifice’ scenario, he remained a passive observer, permitting the deaths of tens of thousands of Seoul’s citizens.】

Everything Representative Kim Dokja stated was factual.

Yet, the readers did not appear swayed by his words.

【Do you genuinely believe that a Kim Dokja capable of such acts would not summon you here for his own ends?】

«He would not.»

【And why is that?】

«Because—»

«Because I am a fragment of that very ‘Kim Dokja’.»

A girl standing opposite interrupted the boy.

She looked to be around Jiyoon’s age.

«I know he wouldn’t do this, because I am a part of Kim Dokja.»

The conviction in her voice was so absolute it stunned even me.

She truly, deeply believed in Kim Dokja.

And perhaps she was not alone.

«Are you truly ‘Representative Kim Dokja’?»

An ahjussi who had been quietly observing the exchange spoke up.

«I’ve exchanged messages with Representative Kim Dokja before. Your manner of speaking is different.»

Others, who had been hesitantly holding back, now joined in.

«What is your point? We understand the kind of person Kim Dokja is far better than you do.»

«Why are you impersonating Kim Dokja? Just reveal who you really are.»

Representative Kim Dokja listened in silence before drawing a deep breath. The air itself seemed to vanish, and I felt myself gasp. Looking around, I saw others had also paled.

【That bastard Kim Dokja.】

As oxygen returned to my lungs, Representative Kim Dokja spoke.

【Kim Dokja, Kim Dokja, Kim Dokja. His name is all I hear. Why this intense fondness for him?】

His tone carried a distinct note of resentment.

【His concern begins and ends with the survival of <Kim Dokja’s Company>. He is a heartless deity, indifferent to the countless extras who perish within the narrative of his dream.】

It felt like a needle was being driven into my mind.

A part of me recognized this perspective. I knew it was a possible interpretation.

【In the story you so adore, was Kim Dokja truly a righteous individual?】

A massive screen materialized behind Representative Kim Dokja, displaying a scene from a scenario. The atmosphere suggested it was not from our current world line.

「 «I wish to see the novel’s epilogue.» 」

It was a story from a novel I had once written, a story these readers had once read.

From the first scenario to the final one. The arduous journey of the protagonist, Kim Dokja, and his companions in <Kim Dokja’s Company>.

A story about Kim Dokja, told from his viewpoint, for his sake.

Representative Kim Dokja declared.

【Each of you has pondered it at least once: In that world, what fate awaits those not chosen by Kim Dokja?】

Beneath the marching feet of <Kim Dokja’s Company>, advancing toward the world’s end, lay piles of nameless corpses.

Their souls cried out.

They existed in that world.

They, too, were part of this story.

Yet Kim Dokja never glanced back at them.

【I believe you understand the reality of being an extra in such a world.】

For a moment, the readers were rendered speechless. Even those who had been defending Kim Dokja found themselves at a loss for words.

The screen zoomed in on an incarnation dying alone during a scenario shift. A lonely figure perishing without a single star’s gaze upon them.

His eyes seemed to meet mine.

「 «Save me…….» 」

Perhaps someone among us now inhabited that very incarnation. Death was no longer just a story about an extra.

It was our story.

«What is your point?»

It was my voice that broke the silence.

«Did you bring us here to appease the resentment of some deceased extra? Is that why we were dragged into this wretched world?»

Representative Kim Dokja’s grin widened grotesquely, and a message materialized before me, as if in answer.

[<Star Stream> agrees to register a new sub scenario for you.]

[A new sub scenario has arrived!]

<Sub Scenario(???) — Christian Qualifications>

Category: Sub (Personal)
Difficulty: ???
Clear Conditions: You have been transmigrated into this world line via an ‘Outer World Covenant’. Collaborate with the other transmigrators to avert its predetermined destruction and cultivate a new narrative.
Time Limit: —
Reward: Return to your original world line, plus additional rewards.
Failure: Death

This was, to a degree, anticipated.

We were outsiders to this world, much like Kim Dokja was when he journeyed to the 1,863rd turn.

A scenario demanding our return to our original world was only logical.

The issue was its objective.

「 Prevent its predestined destruction and develop a new story. 」

Avert the destined annihilation.

In essence, Representative Kim Dokja summoned us because he desired to alter this world line’s conclusion.

I heard the boy who had spoken earlier mutter under his breath.

«An ‘Outer World Covenant’, as expected…»

Glancing around, I noticed some readers had already composed themselves, beginning to strategize.

The hope was clear: if they could somehow prevent this world’s destruction, they could return home.

As they gathered their thoughts, a few raised their hands with questions.

«Wait, you must tell us which world this is. Is this Yoo Joonghyuk’s ‘3rd turn’?»

«Is <Kim Dokja’s Company> here as well?»

«Where is Kim Dokja now? Is he among us?»

In that moment, a shared thought emerged in nearly every mind.

The most certain method to prevent the end of the world.

To harness the power of those who had already ‘halted destruction’.

However.

【Why do you seek that knowledge?】

Representative Kim Dokja did not seem pleased with the line of questioning.

【Do you truly intend to depend on <Kim Dokja’s Company> here as well? You still fail to comprehend.】

The readers who had asked shivered under his frigid tone.

Representative Kim Dokja let out a soft sigh and shook his head.

【Remember this well. You are the protagonists of this world, and this world exists solely for you.】

His gaze swept across the room, a peculiar light gleaming in his eyes, before he added with a slight smile.

【I ask you to create a story worthy of being inscribed upon the ‘Last Wall’. So that this world may not be forgotten without a trace.】

For some reason, his final words carried a ring of sincerity.

【This Banquet is now concluded. Until we meet again.】

Representative Kim Dokja’s figure dissolved into nothingness, and pillars of light began erupting throughout the space. One by one, the summoned individuals started to vanish.

Startled readers called out to one another.

Regaining my focus, I exchanged a look with Kyung Sein.

We had not yet found Dansoo ahjussi’s daughter.

We urgently called for Jiyoon, scanning the dwindling crowd. Then, I bumped into someone. Turning, I saw it was the boy who had challenged Representative Kim Dokja.

The boy frowned.

«Hm? You, by any chance—»

A pillar of light enveloped him and the girl beside him, and they were gone.

Within moments, more than half the crowd had disappeared.

No readers who appeared to be Jiyoon’s age remained.

«Inho-ssi—»

A pillar of light surged beside me, and Kyung Sein vanished.

Simultaneously, the weight of Dansoo ahjussi on my back disappeared.

A profound emptiness washed over me.

I had failed to find anyone.

Just then, a familiar figure caught my eye.

A small back, light brown bob-cut hair falling to her shoulders.

For a heartbeat, my pulse raced.

「 The person who made me a writer was there. 」

The one who never abandoned me, even when everyone else in the editorial department had.

My editor.

«Ji Eunyoo-ssi!»

She was alive.

I had believed she would be.

As Ji Eunyoo turned, a pillar of light descended from above.

Her surprised eyes met mine.

My breath caught.

Time was insufficient. We couldn’t even ask who the other was possessing. All we could do was shout,

«Gwanghwamun!»

It was the only meeting place we could agree upon.

Ji Eunyoo was the last to leave. I was alone in the theater.

Soon, I too would depart.

I released a soft sigh and awaited my turn.

One minute passed, then two…

I continued to wait.

Three minutes, four minutes…

Something was amiss.

No matter how long I waited, no pillar of light enveloped me.

What was happening?

Bewildered, I stared up at the ceiling, where the lights flickered intermittently.

«Hello?»

I called out, but received no answer.

«Hey!»

I raised my voice, yet still, there was no response.

After a moment’s hesitation, I resolved to investigate further.

Something had been troubling me since earlier.

……

I listened intently and caught a faint noise. I hadn’t misheard.

There was someone else in this theater besides me.

The sound emanated from a theater entrance tucked away in a corner of the lobby.

A sign by the door read ‘Now Playing’.

What was showing?

A movie?

Cautiously, I pushed the theater door open, a flicker of anticipation crossing my mind.

「 «Inho-ssi? Inho-ssi, wake up!» 」

The familiar voice unlocked a flood of memories. A cold shiver traced my spine.

I recognized this place.

「 «Why is Inho-ssi the only one who hasn’t woken up?» 」

The vast screen displayed a view of Chungmuro Station, showing my companions rousing me from unconsciousness.

And then.

The backs of countless ‘kkoma Kim Dokjas’ observing the scene.

It was the very movie theater from my dream.

The kkoma Kim Dokjas I encountered that day were not a dream.

As I stumbled into the theater, one of the kkoma Kim Dokjas turned.

The name tag on his left chest swayed.

rlaehrwk37.

The kkoma Kim Dokja’s eyes widened in surprise, and he began to speak, but something seized me by the back of the head, yanking me backward violently.

The grip was icy, spreading a chill through my veins.

【You were not meant to see that.】

The voice was frigid.

Turning my head, I found Representative Kim Dokja staring down at me.