Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 609

Chapter 609

***

It was when I was twenty-three that I first debuted as a published author.

「 Winner of the 24th Rookie of the Year Award: «The Origin of Memory.» Author: Lee Hakhyun. 」

My early debut wasn’t due to some immense, innate talent.

To be honest, how much can a young man in his early twenties truly know and express?

My prose was like a half-dried squid, awkwardly imitating the style of seasoned writers.

There happened to be judges who placed a high value on that very quality, and that year, I was fortunate enough to receive their recognition.

That was where my luck ran out, and shortly after, I was swiftly forgotten by the world.

«That’s how he walked towards his origins. I am fond of that sentence.»

I believed it was all forgotten.

Until this person appeared.

«I also enjoyed your subsequent works. [Origin of Faith], [Origin of Falsehood]… The Origins Trilogy.»

«How do you know of these novels? They are not well-known.»

All three of them.

Someone who had read every story I had ever written.

It was astonishing to learn that such a reader existed in the world.

«There were always off-season literary magazines among the books donated to the nursery.»

Nursery.

Hearing that word spoken so naturally, I caught my breath.

«I asked my older brother to read any novel from the library to me, and the very first story I heard was one published in a literary magazine.»

«I understand.»

«Have you read that novel?»

I nodded in reply.

«It’s a tale where the protagonist fabricates his childhood.»

«That is the crucial point.»

«Because I cannot reveal everything.»

If I explained it all here, every constellation listening would doze off.

[The constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’, snores loudly, demanding to know what you are going on about.]

[A constellation who has not yet revealed their modifier is being disciplined to pay attention to the story.]

Of course, there are constellations with more eccentric tastes.

After a moment’s thought, I added a little more detail to the story for those dedicated fans.

«[Origin of Memories] tells the story of a writer who invents a ‘childhood’ to sell books and secure speaking engagements. Does that suffice as an explanation?»

It felt peculiar, talking about my debut work with someone else for the first time.

Literature Girl 64 spoke as if concentrating deeply.
«Please continue.»

I wasn’t sure why she wanted me to narrate a story she already knew, but I continued nonetheless.

«Eventually, the protagonist’s deception is uncovered by an old schoolmate and exposed online.»

«Correct. The protagonist’s reaction in that part was fascinating. ‘No one is harmed by my having a past like that. Everyone has the right to their own story.'»

I replied, impressed.
«You recall the lines precisely.»

«It was also intriguing that the protagonist’s lie turned out to be true in the end.»

«I remember handling that part with some ambiguity.»

«It was not ambiguous. It is revealed that the schoolmate who exposed the protagonist online had actually mistaken him for someone else. Since only the protagonist remembers a story that no one else does, the right to plead for the origin of that memory belongs to him alone.»

Listening to her clear analysis, I was reminded of the long period I spent writing that novel.

A time when I felt a persistent emptiness, constantly questioning where I came from and what my purpose was.

I wrote sentences to try and understand that.

«After that, the fundamental themes of your works were consistent. They always dealt with stories of ‘falseness’ or ‘origin,’ which was compelling. It is a shame the author did not continue writing.»

I never stopped writing.

Literature Girl 64, who had been silent for a moment, went on.

«I read all the web novels that author wrote as well.»

“Web novels?”

«My brother found it quite bothersome to read them to me at first… But later, he read them diligently.»

«That. The web novels.»

«The Orc Philosopher.»

The moment she uttered the title of my first failed web novel, I wondered if all of this was a hallucination born from my paranoia.

«Thinking back, I believe the author wrote it without a full understanding of what a web novel should be.»

No hallucination could offer such an accurate critique.

«『Infinite Prisoner』. The metaphor here was somewhat simplistic, yet…»

It felt as though my neck was being severed and reattached repeatedly.

«The Magician of the Undying World. He trained arduously in anticipation of the world’s longed-for demise, but when the world refused to end, he became a wizard who set out to destroy it himself…»

«…»

«And also…»

Literature Girl continued to offer her appreciative thoughts on every novel I had written.
Sometimes she paused, carefully selecting her words.

『Method Master』, 『System Breaker』…

I wondered if Kim Dokja had felt this way when revealing his secret tastes to his companions.

«How to Become a Star Writer…»

When even that title, which I had briefly erased from memory, surfaced, I nearly lost consciousness.

«There was a part that felt autobiographical, which I liked. I knew he would obtain the license in the end.»

Surprisingly, she gave favorable reviews to nearly all my past works.
Except for one.

«Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint… what about that one?»

Why did I ask that?
I don’t know.
Perhaps I had been waiting for this moment all along, to pose that very question to someone.

«Not exactly.»

Literature Girl 64 chose her words with utmost seriousness for twenty seconds before continuing.
«That novel did not feel like it was written by the same author.»

I listened, silent.

«In every other work, I could sense the author’s vivid presence. But in that one, the author felt like merely a spectator to the story.»

In an instant, a flood of thoughts rushed in and out.
Only then did I realize I had been preparing for this moment all my life.

「 As I thought, this story was not written by me. 」

I had simply been waiting.
To hear the truth I already knew confirmed by another.

I asked, masking my dejection.
«You must have been disappointed.»

«I was not disappointed.»

Literature Girl 64 stated, her expression unchanged.
«It is just that my brother preferred that story more, while I preferred the other stories you wrote. That is all.»

«And then, my brother said something. He said perhaps the writer had possessed this world, just like us.»

Hearing those words spoken so casually, I was taken aback and let out a hollow laugh.
«Perhaps.»

«I wish the author were still alive.»

The long thirty minutes were concluding. Glancing at the clock in the air, she finished.
«I would have to ask him when he plans to write the next story.»

Perhaps that expression on her face was the highlight of this scenario. It had been a while, but that’s what I thought.

[You have entered the 7th floor.]

We continued our ascent up the cinema, minding our steps.

An hour had passed while we dealt with all this. The dungeon must be cleared within the remaining hour. Otherwise, Killer King would be in peril.

Judging by the atmosphere, the battle on the rooftop remained undecided. How far had we come, stepping over torn posters?

We finally reached the door to the 8th floor—the Sky Garden.

However.
«Eh?»

The exit was blocked.

The doorway was sealed by pure white crystals, but I quickly recognized what it was.

[Steel Transformation.]

It was unmistakably a trace of [Steel Transformation].

Either Lee Hyunsung himself, or someone using his skill, had barricaded the door.

Judging by the crystallization, the [Steel Transformation] was in its earliest stages. It was also thin.

Literature Girl 64 activated [White and Blue Steel] and tested the door with a knock.

*Kaga!*

Even with the power of [White and Blue Steel], it only gained a faint red mark.
Even in its initial stage, the sturdiness of the transformation was extraordinary.

«There is a method.»

Literature Girl 64 said calmly.
«But I cannot do it alone.»

I wondered what she meant. I didn’t think it would break even if we both attacked it.

«Are you skilled at games?»

Ah.

[Incarnation, ‘Lee Seyeon’, activates ‘Battle Action Mode’!]

So that was it.

[Incarnation, ‘Lee Seyeon’, temporarily transfers the ‘Command Controller’ to you.]

A coin slot materialized before me. I inserted 300 coins, and a controller, identical to the one Killer King used, appeared in my hands.

[‘Command Control’ is activated.]

I gently set down the unconscious Jung Heewon and gripped the controller.

«I lack confidence… Can I perform as Killer King did?»

Literature Girl 64 shook her head.
«If you were that strong, a special move would be necessary.»

She relayed the command inputs for the technique and added.
«My brother attempted it many times but failed.»

Just hearing the command sequence explained why he failed. The timing was challenging, and the command itself was excessively complex.

«Did you memorize it?»
«Generally.»
«Not generally. An error will distort your energy flow and prove fatal.»

She stated something terrifying as if it were perfectly natural.

«May I practice alone?»
«I will allow three minutes.»

With that, Literature Girl 64 sat cross-legged and closed her eyes, seemingly focusing her inner energy.

I let out a soft sigh and looked down at the controller.
*Am I any good at games?*
I don’t know. I’d say average. In online game tiers… maybe Gold.
Yes, I know. It’s certainly not that high.

Killer King possessed advanced control skills. There was little chance I could succeed with a technique even he failed to execute.

But.

「 I know someone who can. 」

Literature Girl 64 opened her eyes and asked.
«Have you memorized it all?»
«I have.»
«Then let us begin.»

The commands were memorized.
The issues were timing and flawless execution.

Literature Girl 64 assumed a preparatory stance. I could sense tranquil energy gathering in her right fist.

I focused on the flow of magical power radiating from her and committed the lethal command sequence to memory.

「 From this moment, I am. 」

I imagined.

[Exclusive skill, ‘Incite Lv.6’, is activated!]

A person better at games than anyone I know.

「 I am the pro gamer, Yoo Joonghyuk. 」

In that instant, a new world unfolded in my mind. The environment shifted into a simulation, and the flow of time decelerated slightly.

[Your imagination is activated to its limit.]

As if glimpsing the future, all surrounding variables became clear at a glance.

Naturally, it wasn’t on par with the real pro gamer Yoo Joonghyuk, but my imitation would have to suffice.

The energy flow concentrating in her fist, the trajectory of her strike, the point of impact, and the subsequent release of exploding magical power.
I visualized the approach, the impact, and the aftermath.

Literature Girl 64’s fist moved. Swirling white-blue magic energy. Her fist, piercing through space like a warping flash, detonated at the door’s center.

I never learned the skill’s name, but I could guess what the King might have called it.

「 White Blue Fist. 」

That had to be it.

Amid the thunderous roar, the crystals of steel transformation shattered.
Beyond the broken door, the scenery of the rooftop became visible.

[The special move command has been successfully activated!]
[The battle action mode is canceled.]
[Review: 92 connection points! Are you a pro gamer hiding your true skill?]

As the message arrived, Literature Girl 64 grabbed my shoulder.
«Wait.»

Seeing her pale complexion, I understood immediately.
The technique succeeded, but her energy flow was distorted. Perhaps because I wasn’t truly ‘Pro Gamer Yoo Joonghyuk’.

«I will be fine after resting. But I cannot assist further from here.»
She took a deep breath and looked at me.

[Incarnation, ‘Lee Seyeon’, has activated the skill ‘Vision Transfer Lv.1’.]

Vision Transfer.
A skill that allows the user to learn one S-rank or lower skill from another person, a single time.

«I originally intended to give this to my brother. I believe you should take it now.»

[You have received a skill from Incarnation: Lee Seyeon.]
«Save my brother.»

«Wait. This is—»

I quickly caught Literature Girl 64 as she slumped forward, already unconscious.

I laid her down gently, then slowly turned to face the doorway.

Beyond the shattered door, I could feel waves of immense, unusual stories. My limbs tingled, and my spine ached.

It was like the moment before writing the first sentence on a blank page—a simultaneous rush of profound fear and anticipation.

I knew instinctively, even before ‘□□’ activated.

「 I could die on the other side of that door. 」

My fingertips felt warm. I mentally cataloged the skills, items, and sentences I possessed before the warmth faded.

「 Even knowing the truth, Lee Hakhyun moved forward. 」

That was the only sentence I could write now.

I took one large stride and entered the rooftop.

[You have entered the ‘Sky Garden’ on the 8th floor.]

The eighth floor looked exactly as described in the main story.
A small dome reminiscent of an opera house, enclosed by an opaque canopy.

「 The first thing I saw upon stepping onto the grass-covered rooftop was the back of the regressor I had been searching for. 」

«Yoo Joonghyuk?»

Unconsciously, my steps quickened.

Yoo Joonghyuk of the 41st round.
The protagonist who hunted a 7th-class fiend early on and even surpassed a narrative-grade constellation in the previous round.

That Yoo Joonghyuk stood rigid, like a mannequin.

His pupils were sunken in a deep abyss, completely unconscious. The moment I saw his bloodless lips, I understood.

「 Yoo Joonghyuk had been defeated. 」

When I held my hand to his nose, his breathing was shallow. There were no visible major injuries. The damage was from a mental attack.

*Tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu…*

Sparks flickered everywhere.

I scanned the perimeter of the «Sky Garden.»

As expected, the owner of this «Theater Dungeon» was seated there.

[‘Theatre Owner Simulation’ has appeared.]

The dungeon boss of the theater, specialized in mental attacks.

But something was amiss.

While Yoo Joonghyuk is vulnerable to mental assaults, by the 41st round, he shouldn’t be weak against the theater dungeon’s boss.

Looking closer, the Theatre Owner on the bench also resembled a broken toy.

*Story. Story. Story. Story.*

Like an antiquated movie projector, the Theatre Owner’s mouth rattled.

Looking more carefully, someone was holding its head from within the backlight.

Their shadow seeped outward like deeply impressed type.

I shifted my gaze fully to follow the shadow.

A feast of power that oppressed the entire surroundings.

I held no confidence that I could face the owner of that shadow.

「 Some books are overwhelming before you even open the cover. 」

I bit my lip hard. I slowly raised my head. I had come too far to turn back. If you don’t open the book, the story cannot start. I forced my head up against the crushing pressure, and there was the first sentence.

«Are you here already?»

Her tone was lofty, as if the story of this world held no interest for her.

«I underestimated it because it was only the 41st round. He is fairly competent.»

Beyond the shimmering backlight was the face of a person I had long imagined.

「 She is the author who wrote every sentence of this world. 」

I spoke the author’s name.

«Han Sooyoung.»