Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 608

Chapter 608

**608 Episode 11 Artwork (3)**

A new companion joined our group.

[‘Lee Seyeon’ has joined your team.]

Her ID was Literature Girl 64.

She was the Fighting Genius, the younger sister of Killer King.

We formed a temporary alliance with the shared goal of saving her brother.

[The starter has been recruited into the team.]

[You have acquired an additional 500 coins.]

I did my best to evaluate our circumstances with a level head before speaking.

«The [gargoyle] status effect will persist for four hours within this stage. Since time moves faster outside, we must operate under the assumption that we have only two hours to complete the dungeon.»

Naturally, there was a slim chance a miracle might occur—that Killer King could single-handedly defeat a 6th-class land dragon or manage to escape on his own—but I dismissed that possibility.

Realistically, the most certain method to rescue him was to clear the dungeon as quickly as possible and end this movie’s screening.

Literature Girl 64 inquired.

«Is Yoo Joonghyuk on the upper floors?»

«Most likely.»

«Do you think Yoo Joonghyuk is capable of clearing the dungeon?»

I sensed a particular nuance in her tone.

«Is there an issue with that?»

I nodded.

Literature Girl 64 appeared to pause, considering what the problem might be.

She could have simply asked directly, but in moments like these, the resemblance between the siblings was clear.

[You have cleared the stage with adjusted difficulty!]

[You receive 3,000 coins as an additional reward!]

[Additional dice obtained!]

[Additional dice obtained!]

Perhaps it was because we had cleared a film of considerable difficulty, but we were awarded a total of five reward dice and up to 3,000 coins.

«I’ll take the first roll.»

I watched the dice spin through the air, my thoughts drifting to Kyung Sein and Dansu ahjussi.

How far had those two progressed?

Were they injured?

Was Lee Jihye fulfilling her part?

Just as Literature Girl 64 held faith in Killer King, I wished for that same strong belief. I wanted to trust that they would all be safe.

[The die lands on 5.]

[Advance 5 steps up the stairs.]

[You have reached the 3rd floor!]

[The die lands on 5.]

[Advance 5 steps up the stairs.]

The dice rolls were favorable.

We covered 24 steps in no time.

And then.

[You have entered the 5th-floor reward room.]

We had finally reached the reward room.

Just as I moved to step out, Literature Girl 64 held me back.

The reason became instantly apparent.

A decapitated body lay beneath a cabinet stocked with reward items.

The hairs on my arm stood on end.

Literature Girl 64 scanned our surroundings and stated.

«It doesn’t seem like anyone else is here.»

We cautiously approached to examine the body. A short distance away, the man’s head lay severed.

Fighting back a reflexive wave of nausea, I spoke.

“This is a member of the Misreading Association. The one who said he was a writer.»

The clean, sharp cut across his neck was horrifying. He had been a man with decent luck, yet he was killed in an instant.

If he died here, it meant someone had already advanced past this floor.

We had no time to waste.

«Secure the rewards first.»

We split up to examine the items available for collection.

[Reward items are limited to 2 per person.]

I selected a sword and a combat uniform for Jung Heewon to use.

[Mikazuki Munechika – Replica: Class A sword.]

My first choice was the blade she wielded in the main story. I also found a combat uniform that looked suitable for her.

[Impossible Mission – Replica: Class A Armor.]

This would suffice for Jung Heewon’s equipment needs for a while. Seeing she still hadn’t regained consciousness, the aftereffects of [Incite] seemed to be lasting a significant time. I would need to be more cautious using it in the future.

After choosing her gear, I looked for equipment for myself.

I was entitled to two pieces, but one wasn’t for me. I had to honor the promise made with the 7th apostle, Ye Hyunwoo.

Let’s see.

After about thirty seconds of searching, I located the item in question.

[Shingijeon Replica: A-class artillery.]

Incredible, it’s the real thing.

Description: A speaker (X) manufactured during the Joseon Dynasty, a type of multiple rocket launcher.

Capable of firing 15 shots per volley, with a maximum consecutive fire of 100 shots.

Contains the passive skill [Heavy Firepower], which greatly amplifies the ranged artillery abilities of allies within a 10-meter radius when deployed.

Just reading the description made it clear why Ye Hyunwoo desired this item. Linking it with the turrets commanded by Gong Pildu would undoubtedly create a powerful synergy.

[‘Shingijeon Replica’ has been selected.]

[This item features a ‘size reduction’ function.]

I had been wondering how to carry it, but fortunately, it could be shrunk down.

I selected the item and placed it in my pocket.

Beyond that, I scoured the entire room for other useful items.

There were replicas like the “Molnir” that Lee Gilyoung used in the main story, or “Hercules’ Shield.”

Thought of Almost Everything, which had transformed into slime, was ecstatic at the sight of the displayed items.

It was clinging to everything.

The mimicry skill of [Thoughts of Almost Everything] increases!

[It has learned a new mimicry form!]

[It has learned a new mimicry form!]

Its proficiency had likely increased, as the conditions for replicating the form of A-class or lower items were no longer very strict.

Roughly five minutes later, I had gathered the forms of most weapons in the [Room of Reward].

[‘Thoughts of Almost Everything’ is satisfied with its collected forms.]

While there were no S-class or higher imitations, this collection would prevent any weapon shortages for a time. I finally settled on one piece of protective gear.

Weapons could be summoned anytime using ‘thought’, but protective gear needed to be worn constantly, making it impossible to rely solely on the [Mimicry] function.

[External Reinforced Suit – Replica: A-class armor.]

This was the suit Kim Dokja had chosen as well.

Given the current situation, I thought it was a solid choice.

Looking over, Literature Girl 64 seemed to have the same idea and had selected the female variant of the ‘exterior strengthening suit’.

Once we were prepared, we returned to the hallway leading upstairs.

[Your journey with the Departure Cinema Travel has concluded.]

[There will be no ‘latecomer’ movement bonuses from this floor onward.]

[You are the first to complete the ‘Departure Cinema Trip’ scenario.]

[You will receive 2,000 coins as a reward.]

We could no longer skip floors using the dice.

Instead, we now had the advantage of following the path cleared by the ‘first runner’.

Taking the escalator to the sixth floor, we found movie posters shredded to pieces.

So many films had been completed that the sixth floor was nearly reduced to ruins.

Judging by the traces left behind, it seemed more than half were the work of Yoo Joonghyuk.

Now that I thought about it, he was the one who had slain a 7th-grade monster species immediately upon his return. It was hard to gauge how much stronger he had become.

Could I truly alter the ending of this story just by ascending?

My confidence wavered slightly, but I didn’t let despair take hold.

We passed through the 6th floor without triggering any movies.

If our luck held, we might reach the roof uninterrupted. We needed to hurry.

Faster. Just a little more–

«Ah.»

Had I been too hasty?

[You have been struck by a projection beam.]

[The screening for this floor begins.]

The message came as a shock.

Where was the projector?

The area was littered with nothing but torn posters.

«It’s beneath your feet.»

Although ripped, a poster was under our feet.

[The movie poster is damaged]

[Only a fragment of the film will be reproduced.]

As the floor gave way, we were pulled into absolute darkness. When awareness returned, we were confined within a six-sided room with white walls.

rlaehrwk99 : Isn’t that the movie Cube?
rlaehrwk124: How old is 99?

[The film is not in perfect condition.]

[You may escape the movie by fulfilling specific conditions.]

Fortunately, we hadn’t been pulled into the entire film.

As I struck the inner wall several times with the White Star Iron Sword, Literature Girl 64 stated, «You can’t break through by force.»

I had to agree.

«I have a general idea which movie this is.»

A controlled room from Cube, with escape possible upon meeting a condition.

It was a film the Constellations likely wouldn’t know.

The problem was the “escape condition.”

Based on our experience so far, the Theater Owner had probably meddled again.

However.

[The constellation, ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’, is curious about your story.]

[The constellation, ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’, proposes an escape condition for the room to the Theater Owner.]

Uriel?

[A constellation that has not yet revealed their modifier is curious about your story.]

[A constellation that has not yet revealed their modifier proposes an Escape Condition for the Room.]

And another constellation hiding its name?

[The Theater Owner accepts the constellations’ proposal.]

A sense of foreboding washed over me, but the escape conditions were soon displayed.

Escape condition: Hold a conversation in the room for 30 minutes.

A clock materialized in the air.

[30:00.]

I stared blankly at the timer.

Seriously? That’s the entire condition?

Then an additional narrative followed.

However, if silence persists for more than 30 seconds, all personnel in the room will die.

Goosebumps rose on my skin.

There were three of us in the room: myself, the unconscious Jung Heewon, and Literature Girl 64.

Since Jung Heewon was out, it meant I had to maintain a conversation with Literature Girl 64 for thirty minutes straight.

It wasn’t a cruel condition, but I knew it wouldn’t be simple.

I’m not particularly skilled at conversation, and I doubted she was either—

«Can this even be considered a movie with only fragments?»

«Pardon?»

«Can these fragments be called a movie?»

She had brought up a topic first.

Slightly touched by her consideration, I gave a non-committal reply.

«Short-form content is the trend these days. Wouldn’t <Star Stream> follow suit?»

«What is short form?»

«It’s when you edit or summarize a video to show only the highlights, so to speak—»

«Highlights.»

Literature Girl 64 pondered this and added.

«Something with only highlights doesn’t even have an e-light.»

«Um… I suppose I agree.»

Even as I agreed, I felt a strange, guilty pang of conscience.

In truth, the writing I did felt similar.

Crafting a compact plot with minimal buildup, pushing highlights every time.

[The constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, yawns as if bored.]

In a world where everything was a highlight, I had been writing with only highlights in mind. Was that why?

«Uh, would it be alright if I called you Yerin? Or perhaps…»

This moment, which wasn’t a highlight, felt oddly novel.

«Yerin is my real name.»

«Then…»

«You may call me whatever you prefer.»

«Alright.»

“Do you enjoy novels?”

«Ah, yes.»

“Do you enjoy this novel as well?”

If ‘this novel’ referred to ORV, then she was asking if I liked my own work. Any author would.

But what about me?

«My brother is very fond of this novel.»

«What about you, Yerin-ssi?»

Literature Girl 64 was silent for a moment.

[You must continue the conversation within 15 seconds.]

I considered changing the subject, but she answered.

«I’ve never read it myself.»

«Oh.»

«My brother always read it to me.»

I could piece together her general situation.

Several clues fell into place naturally in my mind.

Having ORV read aloud over ten times.
The habit of constantly wearing sunglasses.
The image of young siblings confronting Representative Kim Dokja in the theater.
The girl hiding behind the boy, holding his sleeve, overlapped with Literature Girl 64’s face.

«In my previous life, I was blind.»

This time, I was the one struck silent.

[You must continue the conversation within 10 seconds.]

Even knowing we would die if I didn’t speak within ten seconds, words failed me.

Fortunately, Literature Girl 64 continued.

«It’s fine now.»

«I see.»

«This is what the world my brother always described looks like.»

«What are your thoughts on this novel?»

Literature Girl 64 hesitated briefly, choosing her words carefully before speaking.

«I feel it is a novel that lacks perfection.»

Her words felt like a direct, unexpected blow.

«That was my impression the entire time I listened. The characters are somewhat flat, and the plot often feels contrived.»

«The directing is overly emotional. The further it progresses, the more monotonous the development patterns become.»

There was a strange, pointed criticism in her tone. She seemed to be speaking faster than before.

Did she actually dislike ORV?

That was possible.

It wasn’t strange for readers to have diverse opinions.

«Web novels are serialized daily. I understand that. But the author should allow some room to breathe.»

I asked with a wry smile.

«Do you read many web novels?»

«I sometimes ask my brother to read them to me, but it’s not my preferred genre.»

«Which genre do you prefer? Or perhaps a favorite author…»

Her ID was Literature Girl 64.

If it wasn’t an ID given by Killer King, she probably enjoyed literature.

As if she had been waiting, she answered.

«Raymond Carver.»

«…?»

“Also Haruki Murakami, Han River, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck….»

Her reading taste seemed similar to someone I knew.

Literature Girl 64 nodded, likely reading my expression.

«I believe Yoo Sangah’s reading taste is excellent.»

«Oh.»

Uncertain if it was a joke, I let out a short laugh.

Literature Girl 64 remained straight-faced.

Feeling slightly anxious, I asked another question.

“What is your favorite work?»

Anyway, this was good.

A room where we had to talk for thirty minutes to escape.

It was a pleasure to have a topic to discuss after so long. When it came to novels, I was confident I could talk for hours. That confidence lasted only until her next words.

«I enjoy 『The Origin of Memory』.»

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

What novel did you say?

«That… You’re referring to the work by that Korean artist, correct?»

«Yes. You know it.»

I couldn’t not know.

«I know of it, but you truly enjoy that work?»

«Yes.»

Because this novel…

«It is my favorite work.»

It was mine. It was the debut novel of “Lee Hakhyun.”