Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 604

Chapter 604

At that moment, a dagger shot out from the tall grass.

Jung Heewon’s expression shifted sharply as she drew her sword, and I instinctively dropped into a crouch.

The blade whizzed just past us and embedded itself in a tree trunk.

“I didn’t think you’d make it this far already.”

From within the thick rainforest emerged three men and one woman.

“Broken Faith” and a white coat.

The outfit almost made me laugh aloud.

“You really are a reader who went through it a hundred times.”

The Writing Association’s team of authors.

How had they gotten here faster than us? I thought we were making the best time, but a faint energy radiated from the illegal writer.

[Incarnation ‘Yeom Ilwoo’ possesses proof of the ‘King of Dice’ surname.]

The surname “King of Dice.”

So his sponsor was the constellation “King of Gambling.”

That would explain how he ascended the stage so quickly.

Aside from the illegal writer in the middle, I used [Character List] to identify the other two men and the woman.

[A large number of profiles have been condensed into ‘Character Summary’.]

[Character Summary]
Name: Hamin

Sponsor: Snake That Severed Its Own Tail

Exclusive Attribute: Lizardman (Rare)

Overall Stats: [Stamina Lv.14], [Strength Lv.13], [Agility Lv.16], [Magic Power Lv.7]

[Character Summary]
Name: Kim Jeonhwa

Sponsor: Plague-Spreading Rat

Exclusive Attribute: Ratman (Rare)

Overall Stats: [Stamina Lv.18], [Strength Lv.16], [Agility Lv.11], [Magic Power Lv.6]

Both were non-human species.

One, a ratman, belonged to the family of the “Plague-Spreading Rat,” which I’d encountered before.

The other, a lizardman, was part of the lineage of the tail-severing serpent…

Given the circumstances, it seemed likely the serpent was a constellation aligned with the Writing Association.

I slowly raised both hands.

“Wait. Is it necessary for us to fight each other?”

Half of that was genuine.

The last time I encountered the Writing Association, it was a reader possessed by a constellation, and what I killed was his incarnation—a “character.”

But this time, the member of the Writing Association I was facing was a person who controlled a character. No matter how criminal his acts of producing and spreading illegal texts were, he was still someone from the same reality as me.

I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of killing him with my own hands.

More than that, I believed he should face judgment in reality, not inside a story.

Whatever he made of my words, the man smirked arrogantly.

“You’re right. I don’t need to fight the reader who enjoyed my novel.”

Still so shameless.

On second thought, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to make him pay for his crimes right here.

“But a reader who’s been through it a hundred times… that’s a little too much for me.”

In a cold tone, the scriptwriter gave a signal.

The two men and the woman flanking him hurled five or six daggers from their sleeves.

It seemed we’d been ambushed the same way earlier.

Seeing the blades flying with clear lethal intent, I finally remembered the Killer King’s warning.

「 “Every member of the ‘Writing Association’ deserves to die.” 」

I thought I understood, now, why he was so afraid.

As Jung Heewon deflected the incoming daggers, the blades struck the ground and sizzled, emitting dark smoke.

Where the projectiles landed, the earth blackened. Poison.

“Be careful! Don’t let it touch you!”

Last time it was poison bombs; this time, poisoned weapons.

Tchiiit.

Jung Heewon’s poisoned sword was dissolving.

“Heewon-ssi!”

I tossed my spare blade to Jung Heewon. She caught it smoothly, gripped it with both hands, and turned forward.

A sword-strike swept through the air, deflecting the trajectories of the next wave of daggers.

Sensing the battle turning against them, the scriptwriter joined the fray.

[Incarnation ‘Yeom Ilwoo’ uses ‘Moonlight Steps Lv.2’!]

Moonlight Steps.

He moved with a flashy technique, but his actual skill seemed inferior to mine.

As he dashed forward, leaving trails of light, I met his charge head-on.

I struck hard against “Broken Faith.”

“Change to ‘Old Iron Shield’.”

As I commanded, the “Substance of All Things” shifted into a shield.

Kagagagak!

The blade rebounded.

The scriptwriter sounded surprised. “An extraordinary item.”

The moment our weapons connected, a message came through the “Substance of All Things”.

[Target analysis initiated.]

[Item analysis complete!]

[The item is Broken Faith (mass-produced version).]

[Item grade: D.]

[The item is rated as low quality.]

[Acquired mimicry form of the item.]

What? This “Broken Faith” wasn’t real—just a “mass-produced” copy?

It seemed the mass-produced version couldn’t hold up.

The original “Broken Faith” had already exhausted its durability when “Blade of Faith” was activated earlier in front of the readers.

Maybe “Blade of Faith” couldn’t be used anymore.

The scriptwriter grinned widely. “What if I told you I could?”

He held a small pot at his side.

[‘Yongjun’ exhibits the mysterious power of regeneration.]

The Pot of Regeneration, Yongjun.

This time, I was truly startled.

[D-grade item ‘Lesser Leather Greaves’ has been sacrificed.]

[D-grade item ‘Broken Faith (mass-produced version)’ has had its durability restored.]

[‘Broken Faith (mass-produced version)’ responds to a powerful will!]

[‘Blade of Faith’ has been activated!]

Tchiiing!

A blade of blue ether extended from the sword that touched my shield.

Instinctively, I dropped the shield and leaped back.

[The mimicry form ‘Old Iron Shield’ has been destroyed!]

We both recoiled from the impact.

Smiling with newfound confidence, he spoke lightly. “You didn’t know it could do that?”

Yongjun was a reward item from the National Museum of Altitude. It wasn’t something obtainable in the current scenario.

Except through one method.

“It seems your sponsor invested quite a few coins.”

“My sponsor is fairly wealthy.”

I grinned back at his proud expression. “Impressive. I don’t recall that detail being in the illegal text.”

His smile vanished. The mass-produced “Broken Faith” unleashed wild slashes of ether.

I dodged the attacks and studied his movements.

[Incarnation ‘Yeom Ilwoo’ uses ‘Moonlight River Lv.1’!]

“Looking closely, that isn’t even [White Pure Steel].”

I’d expected as much.

The last stock of White Pure Steel had already been bought by the Killer King’s sister.

Enraged, the scriptwriter screamed and swung his sword.

[Incarnation ‘Yeom Ilwoo’ uses ‘Moonlight Sword Technique Lv.2’!]

[Incarnation ‘Yeom Ilwoo’ uses ‘Weapon Enhancement Lv.2’!]

[Weapon Enhancement], [Moonlight Sword Technique], and [Moonlight River] were all early-game skills.

「 But with that level of mastery, it’s a fair fight. 」

Amid the shimmering light, the “Substance of All Things” transformed into a bamboo pole.

When the “Blade of Faith” clashed against it with a metallic ring, the scriptwriter’s eyes widened.

I knew my weapon could be cut. The early “Ether Blade” was that strong.

But that applied to low-level items—this was a stellar relic.

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ nods with approval.]

The man clenched his teeth and pressed his attack.

Kagagakak!

Blade and bamboo collided, screeching sharply.

For all his talk, his combat instincts were mediocre.

Even with [Moonlight River], [Moonlight Sword Technique], and [Weapon Enhancement], he couldn’t gain any advantage over me.

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is impressed by the crude swordsmanship.]

It made sense.

This guy was probably used to one-shotting enemies with the cheat-like “Blade of Faith.”

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ suggests not pouring everything into early support.]

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-Eating Tiger’ clicks his tongue in agreement.]

Before long, the durability of “Broken Faith” ran out, and the “Blade of Faith” shattered.

I didn’t miss the opening. Swinging the bamboo staff, I struck his side. He barely dodged, but his coat tore and flesh ripped along his flank.

[The constellation ‘King of Gambling’ is disappointed in his incarnation!]

[A constellation who has not yet revealed their name advises careful choice from here.]

He stumbled back, stifling a sharp cry. “What are you doing?! Quit watching and help me!”

At his shout, the ratman and lizardman fighting Jung Heewon began to change.

[The constellation ‘Plague-Spreading Rat’ increases synchronization with its incarnation.]

[The constellation ‘Snake That Severed Its Own Tail’ increases synchronization with its incarnation.]

Jung Heewon, who had been gaining ground with a mix of [Ghost Slaying] and [Swordsmanship], narrowed her eyes.

Tsutsutsutsutsutsutsu!

Blue sparks enveloped the non-humans.

Their demonic energy, previously around level 9, now matched that of a level 7 monster.

[Incarnation ‘Hamin’ uses ‘Cursed Dagger’!]

[Incarnation ‘Kim Jeonhwa’ uses the stigma ‘Accelerated Assault’!]

A waterfall of daggers poured from the arms of the two non-humans.

Jung Heewon evaded with agile movements.

But this time was different.

[The special effect of ‘Cursed Dagger’ has activated!]

I suddenly remembered what [Cursed Dagger] did.

“Heewon-ssi! Don’t block this one!”

The [Cursed Dagger] stigma guaranteed that if 20 daggers missed, the “next one” would always hit.

A black dagger traced Jung Heewon’s movements and shot toward her face.

She swung her sword and cut it down. With a metallic sound, the dagger began to melt.

“Aaaaaaa!”

Jung Jaewoo, hiding nearby, screamed at the sight of the dissolving blade.

Jung Heewon grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back toward me.

“Inho-ssi.”

I nodded. We couldn’t win like this.

Our weapons were inadequate, and on their side, two constellations were fully supporting their fighters.

“Jaewoo-ssi, do you have any hidden skills?”

Jung Jaewoo shook his head.

We couldn’t rely on [Minor Luck] this time. It was, after all, only a minor amount of luck.

“Heewon-ssi.”

Jung Heewon nodded.

I handed her the ‘Samyeongdang’s Bamboo Staff’ I was holding and said, “Lend me your ear for a moment.”

I hadn’t wanted to use this skill on Jung Heewon. But there was no other choice.

The scriptwriter shouted, sensing something. “Kill them! Now!”

The non-humans, now twice their original size, roared and charged.

Non-humans weren’t “people.”

Could they be called “monsters”?

I wasn’t sure. But one thing was certain: “Every enemy you see before you now—”

From now on, that’s what they would be.

“—is a monster.”

[Exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.6’ has been activated!]

The ratman swung its elongated claws, and the lizardman whipped its tail toward Jung Heewon’s back.

And then—

[Incarnation ‘Jung Heewon’ activates ‘Judgment Time’.]

Sparks ignited in Jung Heewon’s eyes.

[The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ doubts what he is seeing.]

[The constellation ‘Bald General of Justice’ admires the descendant’s sword mastery.]

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ questions if the probability is acceptable.]

What happened next was too fast to follow.

Within the rising dust, a series of terrible cracking sounds echoed.

A flash of light burst forth with explosive noise, and the severed tail of the lizardman and the arm of the ratman tumbled out of the dust cloud.

In less than a minute, a rapid succession of impacts echoed from within.

As the dust settled, only one figure remained standing.

The bodies of the ratman and lizardman lay torn apart.

I’d expected it, but the result was beyond expectations.

[The constellation ‘Plague-Spreading Rat’ vomits blood and leaves the channel.]

[The constellation ‘Snake That Severed Its Own Tail’ cuts its tail to evade probability’s backlash!]

[The constellation ‘Snake That Severed Its Own Tail’ stares in shock at ‘Jung Heewon’.]

Realizing the battle was lost, the scriptwriter was already fleeing into the rainforest.

He was running away.

Jung Heewon picked up one of the dead ratman’s daggers and threw it after him.

Whee-a-a-a-aek!

The weapon flew like a bullet and grazed his shoulder.

“Aaaaaaaaaaagh!?”

Screaming, he vanished into the trees.

I couldn’t let him escape.

He was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to kill. Here and now, he had to be stopped.

Just then, Jung Heewon collapsed forward. The aura of judgment covering her body faded rapidly.

“Heewon-ssi!”

[The effect of ‘Incite’ has ended.]

[‘Judgment Time’ has been canceled.]

I hurriedly caught her.

Her breathing and pulse were normal. But she had a nosebleed—the backlash from [Incite] was severe.

“I’ll finish him and come back!”

Seeing the situation, Jung Jaewoo mustered his courage and ran after the scriptwriter.

I shouted, supporting Jung Heewon. “Wait! Jaewoo-ssi!”

But Jung Jaewoo had already disappeared into the rainforest in pursuit.

A sense of dread washed over me.

I carried Jung Heewon and followed Jung Jaewoo’s trail.

From somewhere ahead, the sounds of impact and screaming echoed. I ran toward the noise.

And then—damn it.

“Jaewoo-ssi!”

Jung Jaewoo lay motionless among the trees.

[A constellation who has not yet revealed their name looks on with sorrow.]

I took a slow breath and approached Jung Jaewoo.

「 Jung Jaewoo possesses a minor amount of luck. 」

At the very least, he wouldn’t die from poison in a place like this. The wound must have missed vital points.

Jung Jaewoo groaned in pain. “Ugh.”

I laid Jung Heewon down and examined his injuries.

“Hey, Inho-ssi.”

Jung Jaewoo was smiling. “I… got a hit in… He didn’t… get far…”

“Don’t speak.”

A dagger was buried near Jung Jaewoo’s heart. The poison had already spread from his chest, corroding his skin and organs.

Blood soaked the ground beneath him.

“Stay still.”

Why was he so badly hurt?

Didn’t Jung Jaewoo have [Minor Luck]?

Then I remembered—the scriptwriter was the incarnation of the “King of Gambling.”

If their luck had clashed, their attributes might have canceled each other out.

“Oh no…”

I mentally ran through the items that could heal such a wound.

Elaine Forest Essence? Too slow to work now.

Superior Healing Potion? I checked the dokkaebi bag, but it was empty.

Sacred oil or something similar? No way to get it here.

「 I couldn’t think of a solution. 」

If Lee Seolhwa were here, she could save him. She had Life and Death pills.

「 But she isn’t here. 」

Pages from ORV flashed through my mind.

I had written so many lines with my own hands. Among them, there had to be a way to save him.

“It’s alright. I can fix this. Don’t worry.”

Someone was dying right in front of me.

My hands shook, and my thoughts scattered.

I used the last of my “Elaine Forest Essence” on the wound, along with a basic healing cream.

To counter the poison, I fed him powdered horn from a venomous rhinoceros and small pieces of ground rat jerky.

Jung Jaewoo’s throat convulsed, and he coughed up blood.

Through tears, he whispered, “I don’t want to die.”

“You won’t die.”

It was a lie. He was dying.

My voice was hoarse and trembling. “I’ll save you.”

A reader who had followed my story was dying because of me.

“I’ll save you, no matter what.”

In the face of death, all I could offer were empty words.

You won’t die.

Even if you die, I will bring you back.

Jung Jaewoo’s lips moved. He seemed to be trying to say something, but no sound came out.

Maybe he regretted ever reading it. Maybe he resented the one who wrote it.

Soon, his breathing stilled, and his pulse faded.

[Party member ‘Jung Jaewoo’ has died.]

I stared at his face for a long time.

I had seen death many times before.

「 Jung Jaewoo is dead. 」

But it never felt real.

I truly couldn’t accept that someone alive just moments ago was gone.

“Jaewoo-ssi.”

As I held his limp hand, I saw something translucent rising from his body.

It was Jung Jaewoo’s soul.

He did have a soul.

Then maybe I could save him. If I could find where his soul went, then—

Tsutsutsutsutsu.

Sparks crackled in the air, and for an instant, the soul’s outline solidified.

A terrible scream echoed.

A hand snatched his soul and vanished through a tear in space. I stared, stunned.

My mind went blank. I couldn’t process what had happened. The only thought that formed in my混乱 brain was a single sentence.

If I wasn’t mistaken, Jung Jaewoo’s soul had been taken—

「 It had the form of a small Kim Dokja. 」