Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 594

Chapter 594

594 Episode 8. Representative Kim Dokja (4)

【Hm? You.】

Representative Kim Dokja seized me by the scruff of my neck and studied my face for an extended moment.

A peculiar strain settled in the atmosphere.

Reflecting on it, this wasn’t my first time meeting ‘Representative Kim Dokja’. I had crossed paths with him once before, inside the Chungmuro Theater.

On that occasion, he had gotten a good look at my face and even taken note of my name tag.

Was that all?

He had granted me special allowances to help me get used to this world, and he had read every word of the Omniscient Reader I had written, leaving behind his comments and thoughts.

I found myself wondering.

Would ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ remember me?

【Hmm.】

Or perhaps, as I anticipated, he would not.

【That’s strange. Why haven’t you returned yet?】

Holding onto the back of my head as if I were a cat that had snatched a fish from a tank, Representative Kim Dokja walked out of the theater.

First Yoo Joonghyuk, and now this—why does everyone who lays eyes on me feel the need to carry me around?

Incidentally, he had indeed failed to recognize me.

After a brief hesitation, I chose to set into motion the plan I had been contemplating.

‘Idea.’

As I silently called that name, the bracelet on my wrist gave a faint shudder.

I didn’t understand the precise reason, but unlike my other possessions, the ‘Thoughts of Almost Everything’ had been summoned here alongside me.

In any case, it was a fortunate circumstance for my current situation.

«Wait, I don’t enjoy being carried like this.»

I took hold of Representative Kim Dokja’s wrist as he held me, lost in thought. I could feel the surface of the bracelet vibrating against his skin.

[‘Idea’ has made contact with an unknown item.]

Look at that.

I’m clearly touching his bare hand, yet it’s called an ‘item’?

[Beginning analysis of the target.]

[The target analysis will require 5 minutes to finish.]

[Maintain contact until the analysis is complete.]

Representative Kim Dokja, deep in contemplation, remained unaware of the ‘Idea’.

I spoke again, letting irritation color my tone.

«I didn’t enter that place by choice; I was searching for an exit from this area.»

【What did you witness inside?】

«Small children…»

[Someone has activated ‘Lie Detection’.]

‘Representative Kim Dokja’ was undoubtedly an ‘outer god’, and any outer god would possess [Lie Detection].

This worked to my advantage.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.4’ has been activated!]

«I saw some young children inside the theater, watching a film. However, it was too dark to make out any details.»

[You have incited yourself.]

I quickly continued.

«What kind of movie were those children watching?»

【What was the film about?】

«It was too dark for me to see properly.»

[Someone has verified the statement as true.]

【Hmm…….】

Representative Kim Dokja eyed me with skepticism before gradually releasing his grip on my neck.

But I kept my hold on his wrist.

[Target analysis is ongoing.]

«Wait, what are those children? Why are there so many of them in this place?»

【Do you wish to know?】

I couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but I could distinctly sense the powerful presence radiating from them.

«Not particularly, no.»

【Good, because a story is dull once you know how it ends.】

Representative Kim Dokja gave a satisfied nod.

【Now, release my wrist. I must investigate why you failed to return.】

That was an issue.

My analysis of him wasn’t finished.

«I have another question.»

【Is it a question that requires you to keep holding my wrist?】

Once more, I sensed a murderous aura from behind those sunglasses.

This time, however, I stood my ground.

«Who are you, really?»

【Hmm? As I stated, I am—】

«You aren’t the ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ I am familiar with, because I met him before arriving here.»

In truth, our meeting had been brief, but I had known of him for a very long time.

He had sent me messages every single day throughout the entire serialization.

I had always considered ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ to be a deeply earnest individual who loved stories.

But what of the ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ standing before me now?

【That is a keen observation. Even though our appearances are identical…】

Unexpectedly, Representative Kim Dokja openly acknowledged the fact.

【You are correct. The ‘Representative Kim Dokja’ who brought you here is a separate entity. Does that satisfy your inquiry?】

There existed two Representative Kim Dokjas.

Perhaps even more than two.

Was it a collective?

If so, what was the purpose of this group’s existence?

[The analysis is over 80% complete.]

【Now it is my turn to ask. You—】

«Why did you choose ‘Kim Dokja’?»

【What?】

«If a disguise was necessary, you could have become Yoo Joonghyuk or another person.»

【No, this is simply—】

«I thought you held a grudge against Kim Dokja?»

At my question, Representative Kim Dokja’s expression shifted for the first time.

【What gives you that impression?】

«Was it actually envy? Is that why you took on Kim Dokja’s appearance and are now mimicking him?»

Representative Kim Dokja’s face gradually stiffened. It was as if a vague suspicion was being confirmed.

[The exclusive attribute is activated!]

For a fleeting moment, the hints left by Representative Kim Dokja at the previous Banquet branched out through my mind.

「 Kim Dokja, Kim Dokja, Kim Dokja, you are so loud. Why on earth do you adore him so much? 」

He bore a resentment toward Kim Dokja.

「 What lives will those who were not chosen by Kim Dokja lead? 」

He empathized with those whom Kim Dokja had not saved.

「 Do you truly intend to depend on <Kim Dokja’s Company> here as well? 」

He desired to see the world’s conclusion come to pass without <Kim Dokja’s Company>.

Thus, my deduction led me here.

«Did Kim Dokja… destroy your story?»

He is a ‘character’ whose desired story was left unfulfilled because of Kim Dokja.

That is why the readers of ‘Omniscient Reader’ have been abducted into this world.

「 To craft the story he wishes to tell. 」

Who could he possibly be.

A few possibilities crossed my mind, but I had no certain names.

【You…… Just who are you?】

A sudden, oppressive energy began to pour from Representative Kim Dokja’s entire being.

For an instant, I felt nauseous.

I had delved too deeply.

Tsuchuchuchuchuchut—

Violent sparks erupted around me.

Mentally, I calculated the scale of the sparks against my own life.

How much probability would he need to kill me?

And how much more was he prepared to expend?

[The item analysis is complete!]

[The item is the ‘Ever-changing (千變萬化) Stealth Suit’.]

[The item is S-grade.]

[You must be struck at least 10 times by the item’s user to acquire its form.]

Just in time, the ‘Idea’ finished its analysis.

「 Ever-changing Stealth Suit. 」

A garment that consumes a specific amount of magic power to alter the user’s appearance to any desired form.

In other words, he was using the item’s power to conceal his true identity.

‘Idea.’

I instantly altered the form of the bracelet.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.4’ is activated!]

‘Transform into the Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick.’

I swung the ‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick’ with all my strength at the Representative Kim Dokja before me.

The corner of his lip twitched upward as Representative Kim Dokja casually extended an arm and caught the bamboo stick.

Naturally, I hadn’t expected the strike to land. But the attack itself was not my true objective.

A brilliant light promptly shone from the tip of the bamboo stick.

[‘Damaged Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Stick»s concealed property has been activated!]

As a damaged star relic, it couldn’t muster its original power, but activating its hidden property was not a problem.

[The stigma ‘Skeleton in the Closet’ has been triggered!]

If he was wearing the ‘Ever-changing Stealth Suit’, this stigma would force him to reveal his true self.

Patsuchuchut.

[‘Skeleton in the Closet’ is affected by your status.]

[Your status is insufficient to determine the target’s identity.]

Damn, my level was too low for this.

But for the briefest instant, I saw a portion of his cheek fracture.

Beyond the crack, an unspeakable tension throbbed. A flow of stories so perilous it was dizzying. A sinister sensation lurking in the depths.

Demon Force?

The moment that thought formed, his fist drove into my stomach.

【You must believe I am incapable of killing you.】

The sensation of my stomach being torn open and impaled.

Even as a soul, my breath hitched in my throat.

【In fact, you are correct. I cannot kill you directly. Restrictions prevent it.】

My left and right arms were snapped in opposite directions, and a painful feeling washed over me as if my legs had been severed.

As I drew a breath, another impact struck my abdomen.

My consciousness flickered out and then returned.

【However, I can inflict a pain far worse than death.】

He pinned both my arms together and slammed me against the wall, then proceeded to drive magically-formed thorns through my wrists and ankles, one after another.

Pow. Pow. Pow. Pow. Pow.

Within seconds, five or six thorns had impaled my limbs.

I activated my skill just as the agony began to spread.

[The level of the exclusive skill ‘Incite’ has increased!]

「 I am Kim Dokja, who possesses the [Fourth Wall]. 」

【Certainly…… You are not like the other readers. I cannot believe you can withstand this level of pain.】

He lifted my chin lightly with his long fingers, then spoke with interest.

【Now that I think of it, another Representative did mention a unique individual…】

«If I’m a special guest, shouldn’t I receive special treatment?»

I taunted him.

I needed to provoke him further, to push him beyond his limits.

«If this is all you’ve got, then you’ve already lost to Kim Dokja.»

The sparks that had been coursing over his body grew more intense. At any moment, he would be unable to bear the backlash of probability.

【I find myself growing increasingly curious about your identity.】

But Representative Kim Dokja was smiling faintly at me.

He seemed as amused as he was angered.

【Suddenly, I feel an intense sense of nostalgia.】

Representative Kim Dokja’s head tilted to an unnatural angle.

【Right now, you resemble someone I detest more than anyone, yet simultaneously desired to consume.】

Pow.

I felt something burrow into my stomach, and the next instant, his grip closed around my abdomen.

A pain so severe that even level 5 [Incite] could not mitigate it.

Tsuchuchuchuchut.

It was then that something began to seep from the wound in my stomach.

Sentences, glimmering with a golden light.

Stories.

Representative Kim Dokja’s eyes widened.

【This is…… It can’t be? You…….】

As he reached for the story that had fallen to the floor.

「 ⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛ 」

The story began its narration.

The space around me tore apart, and a sound like a storm roared in my ears.

Then I heard a distinct voice.

「 I warned you not to touch it. 」

Representative Kim Dokja’s expression turned severe. His eyes widened as he stared into mine.

Something was speaking through my mouth.

「 They are coming. 」

With those words, the ceiling of the movie theater shattered.

Within my fading awareness, I saw Representative Kim Dokja look upward.

A shout echoed, and something descended through the broken ceiling.

A beautiful strand of light.

It took me by surprise.

In my slowly dimming consciousness, I heard the furious voice of Representative Kim Dokja.

It sounded something like,

「 ……Kim Dokja’s Company! 」

He seemed to say something along those lines.