Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 600

Chapter 600

Episode 10. Writer (1)

Thirty minutes later, I had successfully hunted the ‘Giant Centipede’ and sorted through the spoils.

[Giant Centipede Core].
[Giant Centipede Carapace Fragment].

I had only managed to secure these two items in the rush.

Since I had no immediate need for them, I listed both on the exchange via Bihyung.

The core could be used in crafting a panacea, so there was a good chance Chinese incarnations such as Fei Hu might be interested in purchasing it.

It occurred to me then that I had completely overlooked the international aspect.

Translations of ‘Omniscient Reader’ existed in other languages, so it was possible that readers from overseas had also been pulled into this world.

«Inho-ssi, we’re all set.»

I turned to see Kyung Sein and Dansoo ahjussi waiting for me.

«Alright. Let’s move out.»

We proceeded directly to find Ye Hyunwoo.

His reaction was exactly what we anticipated.

«You wish to enter the Theater Dungeon at this moment?»

Ye Hyunwoo paused to consider, then asked Kyung Sein and Dansoo ahjussi to give us a moment of privacy.

Once they had stepped away, he lowered his voice.

«Is this connected to Yoo Joonghyuk?»

As expected of the 7th Apostle.

I gave a simple nod in response.

«The ‘Theater Dungeon’ is the only location Yoo Joonghyuk can currently access.»

«Hmm, that aligns with my thoughts as well.»

Ye Hyunwoo’s gaze lifted toward the ceiling of the station.

Somewhere up there, Yoo Joonghyuk had undoubtedly entered the theater and was now cutting down monsters.

«Sein-ssi mentioned it previously. The Yoo Joonghyuk of this world is from the 41st turn, correct?»

«Indeed.»

«Which 41st turn?»

«What do you mean, which one?»

«There were two distinct 41st turns. One before Shin Yooseung became the Disaster of Floods, and one after.»

I offered a faint, internal smile.

This was no ordinary reader, that was certain.

My expression must have turned serious, because Ye Hyunwoo let out a light laugh.

«You can act unaware if you wish; I won’t insist on using Lie Detection.»

A slight numbness washed over me as I watched him smile.

What a perceptive reader.

«Most likely the former.»

«Then it’s the ’41st turn’ from Omniscient Reader. The one where he failed the scenario and transformed Shin Yooseung into the ‘Disaster of Floods’…… and you still intend to go to the ‘Theater Dungeon’?»

I found myself speechless.

«You witnessed it yourself, Inho-ssi. He obliterated all the green zones and attempted to kill us.»

It was true. We had nearly been annihilated during the Emergency Defense Battle because of Yoo Joonghyuk.

However…….

「 «If you’re truly Cheon Inho, you can manage this alone.» 」

If I considered that he did it because he had that much faith in me, perhaps I was investing too much hope in that notion.

«If you enter the Theater Dungeon now, a confrontation with Yoo Joonghyuk is a distinct possibility.»

«I am aware, but I must go regardless.»

Ye Hyunwoo released a sigh and inquired.

«Will the three of you be sufficient? Would you like additional support?»

«Are you offering your assistance?»

«We cannot afford to lose Inho-ssi in such a place. Additionally.»

Ye Hyunwoo added with some hesitation.

«I observed Inho-ssi speaking with Yoo Joonghyuk on the railroad tracks. I am unsure what transpired between you, but it appeared that Inho-ssi and Yoo Joonghyuk were in agreement.»

I had never considered it from that perspective.

«We will be fine. My apologies if it seems like I am leaving the final clean-up to you, especially since the scenario is not yet complete.»

«Not at all, I had already decided to forgo the Theater Dungeon. Organizing the rewards here is challenging enough, and…… I have received ample support already.»

Evidently, Ye Hyunwoo had acquired a substantial number of coins with his new techtree, ‘Infinite Uroboros’ or something similar.

It seemed he had not yet selected a sponsor, so he would not need to concern himself with that for some time.

I looked forward to seeing his choice the next time we met.

«Incidentally, I was surprised to see Inho-ssi utilize the ‘Poison Bomb’.»

For a moment, I did not grasp Ye Hyunwoo’s meaning, as his tone held no trace of hostility.

«I was under the impression that the formula for that bomb was still exclusive to the Misreading Association.»

Ye Hyunwoo’s gaze was steady as he regarded me. I responded, maintaining my composure.

«I acquired one during my last encounter with the Misreading Association, alongside Killer King.»

Ye Hyunwoo gave a slight smirk.

«It is not that I suspect Inho-ssi of being affiliated with the Misreading Association, it is just…….»

I felt a flicker of anxiety.

Had Ye Hyunwoo witnessed me using the ‘Thoughts of Almost Everything’?

Even though the ‘Thoughts of Almost Everything’ was not an item featured in Omniscient Reader, Ye Hyunwoo’s sharp perception might have detected something in that instant.

«Inho-ssi.»

«Yes.»

«If it is not too much trouble, could you retrieve an item for me from the fifth floor of the Theater Dungeon? I will purchase it.»

«Pardon?»

Well, now.

«What item are you seeking?»

The fifth floor of the Theater Dungeon is the [rewards room] where replica items are stored.

After a moment of thought, Ye Hyunwoo stated.

«The ‘Divine Weapon (神機箭)’.»

Impressive. I knew of it.

The question was.

«But I cannot guarantee that item will be present…….»

«I am certain it is. It featured in a film as well. It was not in Omniscient Reader, but there is no reason for its absence; it must be there.»

Speaking with seriousness, Ye Hyunwoo glanced at the ‘Thoughts of Almost Everything’ concealed on my arm and added.

«It is a necessary component for the ‘5th stage of the Invincible Castellan techtree’.»

What a clever reader.

 

«What did the Apostle wish to discuss?»

«Nothing significant. We agreed that in exchange for him not joining us in the Theater Dungeon, we would secure some items for him.»

«I see.»

I provided Dansoo ahjussi and Kyung Sein with a brief summary.

«You handled that well; maintaining a positive relationship with the 7th ranked is beneficial.»

«I concur.»

My sentiments were identical.

After all, Ye Hyunwoo did not seem like a malicious person.

«Alright, then now…….»

I turned to our final companion, who was gazing vacantly into the distance.

«Heewon-ssi.»

Jung Heewon, seated on a bench, looked up with evident difficulty. Her expression was uncharacteristically somber.

«Inho-ssi.»

«Yes.»

«I apologize.»

«For what?»

The unexpected apology took me by surprise. The reason soon became clear.

«If only I were stronger.»

Jung Heewon dragged the tip of her ground rat knife across the subway floor. She must have been doing this for a while, as the base of the bench was covered in scratches.

«That qualifies as vandalism.»

It was meant as a jest, but it fell flat.

[The character ‘Jung Heewon’ is experiencing guilt toward you.]

Guilt. She was likely blaming herself for being unable to protect me.

«Heewon-ssi.»

I lowered myself to one knee and gently placed both my hands over Jung Heewon’s, which held the sword. Her hand was rough and calloused from countless hours of training and combat.

I carefully took the sword from her grasp and began to sketch on the subway floor. Using the existing scratches as a foundation, I outlined a human face. I added a small speech bubble beside it.

「 ᅲ ᅲ 」

The finished product was ambiguously situated between a person and a dumpling.

Jung Heewon stared down at the graffiti and murmured.

«You called it vandalism.»

I met her eyes and said.

«You are not the one who should be apologizing.»

Jung Heewon had done everything she could.

I was the one who had fallen short.

「 All ‘⬜⬜’ communicates to me is ‘my own peril’.» 」

Reflecting on it now, the situation had been perilous. What if a creature more formidable than the giant centipede had appeared?

「 Jung Heewon might have died. 」

The mere thought sent a chill through me. Perhaps I was becoming too swept up in the narrative.

I am not Kim Dokja.

I will never possess his luck, nor be as cherished by the constellations.

But I must continue to survive within this story.

«We are colleagues.»

«…….»

«I will become strong enough that you will not need to shield me. I will not remain hidden behind you indefinitely.»

Jung Heewon’s eyes wavered as she looked at me.

[The character ‘Jung Heewon’ is saddened by your words.]

Saddened?

I quickly added, returning the ground rat knife to her.

«But this means I will need to rely on Heewon-ssi’s protection for a little while longer, until I grow stronger.»

Jung Heewon’s lips parted slightly.

«…….»

[The character ‘Jung Heewon’ is pleased by your words.]

[Your understanding of the character ‘Jung Heewon’ has increased.]

I understood Jung Heewon’s predicament.

Perhaps this was her method of enduring this insane world.

«Therefore, I require your assistance once more, Heewon-ssi.»

«Where to this time?»

Jung Heewon inquired as she meticulously cleaned her ground rat knife with a cloth.

She had just slain a giant centipede with that well-worn blade.

Wherever she was, Jung Heewon remained herself.

Come to think of it, around this point in ‘Omniscient Reader’, she had switched to a new weapon.

«I am heading to the theater upstairs.»

«The theater? Now?»

«You should replace your weapon soon. There are some excellent items upstairs, so why not accompany me?»

Kyung Sein interjected, swiftly changing the subject.

«Oh, is that the reason? But my sword suits me fine.»

«Oh, that girl, Lee Jihye, was wielding a fairly good one as well.»

As we ascended, a figure halted us at the ticket gate.

I did not need to ask who it was.

«Lee Jihye.»

Lee Jihye, leaning against a vending machine, fixed me with a glare.

«Huh. What.»

«Thank you for earlier.»

Her eyes flickered, as if my gratitude was unexpected.

«I merely returned a favor.»

Then she averted her gaze.

Such a child.

«You saved others as well.»

I had seen it clearly, even in my desperate state.

Lee Jihye, who acted as though she would offer no help, had been quietly rescuing people from death.

Times change, worldlines shift, but a person’s core nature remains largely constant.

«You should join us.»

«Where?»

«Where your master is.»

«Master…… You know his location?»

«I do.»

Lee Jihye’s eyes filled with turmoil.

«Yoo Joonghyuk told you nothing?»

Lee Jihye did not answer, instead biting her lip hard.

「 Yoo Joonghyuk proceeded to the Theater Dungeon, yet he left Lee Jihye behind? 」

It was a decision I could not comprehend.

Lee Jihye’s sponsor was ‘Admiral Yi Sunsin’, and the Theater Dungeon featured numerous stages with naval battles, yet Yoo Joonghyuk had departed alone.

This was not the 3rd turn, but the 41st.

Even when Lee Jihye had died,

「 «Sea battles will prove somewhat challenging in the future.» 」

Yoo Joonghyuk had said that.

«Simply…… He instructed me to remain here and ensure you did not perish.»

«Why?»

«I do not know. Perhaps because he trusts me?»

Her words lacked conviction. Though I did not know the full context, it presented an opportunity.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.6’ is activated!]

I would play the villain for a moment.

«Then your mission concluded with the end of the ‘Emergency Defense Battle’.»

«That is true, but…….»

«Yoo Joonghyuk is incredibly selfish, is he not? Treating you like a child.»

Lee Jihye shifted on her toes.

«Be quiet. You understand nothing.»

«Come with us.»

«Why would I…….»

«I possess information on high-grade items. Once I acquire them, I will give them to you.»

«…….»

«Would you not like a new weapon? You have been using a sword as well, but with a better one, perhaps Yoo Joonghyuk will bring you along next time.»

The mention of a sword gave Lee Jihye pause.

«What?»

«It is the sword that is weak, not you.»

Lee Jihye bit her lip.

«You will only be gone briefly. We will return before Yoo Joonghyuk does.»

The young girl gave a slight nod.

[The character ‘Lee Jihye’ has developed a slight affinity for you.]

Perhaps assembling <Kim Dokja’s Company> would be easier than I anticipated?

 

Shortly thereafter, we reached the theater entrance.

«Where did unni learn to wield a sword?»

«The kendo club at school.»

«Wow, I am self-taught. What do they teach in a kendo club?»

«How to achieve victory without killing.»

Lee Jihye, who had joined our group on a whim, was conversing with Jung Heewon.

Jung Heewon responded mostly with brief answers. Lee Jihye seemed to appreciate her bluntness and stayed close to her side.

Come to think of it, the two had gotten along quite well in Omniscient Reader.

«We are nearly there, everyone, prepare yourselves.»

[You are approaching the outside region. Exercise caution to remain within the scenario area.]

The entrance to the dungeon, the first floor, materialized. Kyung Sein muttered.

«I did not anticipate returning here.»

It was a peculiar sensation.

This ‘theater’ was the very same venue where the real-world ‘Kim Dokja’s Banquet’ had taken place.

[You have discovered a ‘hidden dungeon’!]

[This dungeon has already been found by another. The first discovery achievement is unavailable.]

[A new hidden scenario has arrived!]

[Hidden Scenario – Theater Dungeon]
Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A-

Clear Conditions: Defeat the master of the Theater Dungeon.

Time Limit: None

Reward: 4,000 coins

Failure: —

[You have entered the ‘Theater Dungeon’!]

The scenario message seemed to have been awaiting our arrival.

We proceeded directly to the dungeon entrance.

And in the next instant.

«Hold on.»

Dansoo ahjussi halted the group. The cockroach must have relayed something to him.

«There are others here besides us.»

Suddenly, my hearing sharpened.

It was not just the first basement level.

I advanced up the stairs.

I could discern voices from the first above-ground floor as well.

Kyung Sein and Dansoo ahjussi simultaneously looked toward me.

In Omniscient Reader, only Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk, and a handful of prophets had entered this ‘hidden dungeon’.

Since the world we had been transmigrated into was not that of ‘Omniscient Reader’, but ‘Ways of Survival’, there were naturally no prophets.

«Inho-ssi, are those people…….»

«Indeed.»

At a glance, over a dozen individuals were concealed on the first basement floor alone. Including the above-ground floor, the number could exceed thirty or forty.

I steeled my expression and stated.

«They are all readers.»