Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 617

Chapter 617

617 Episode 13 King (1)
「 A throne is still needed in a ‘kingless world’. It is to let people know that there was a king there. 」

—Mass production type manufacturer

A full three days had passed since the events within the Theater Dungeon. In that time, a single name began to echo through Chungmuro Station.

「 «Kim Dokja!» 」

While some merely tilted their heads in confusion upon hearing it, others were overwhelmed with joy.

「 «Really? Is Kim Dokja actually here?» 」

「 «We survived. We’re going to make it now.» 」

Naturally, not everyone who remembered his name felt relief.

「 «Is it truly Kim Dokja? Wouldn’t we be in more danger by getting involved with him?» 」

「 «What difference could his appearance possibly make now? Let’s be honest, we all know the same things Kim Dokja knows.» 」

Some doubted the truth of the rumors, while others dismissed them as insignificant.

Yet, regardless of which side they were on, every person who remembered ‘Kim Dokja’ found themselves thinking of him and pausing to look up at the sky for a moment.

「 And for Lee Hakhyun, that alone was sufficient. 」

The roof of the theater dungeon.

I let out a soft sigh and gazed upward; the sun was beginning to set.

How many times had Kim Dokja looked up at the sky before all the scenarios concluded?

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is looking at you.]

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is looking at you.]

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is looking at you.]

Watching the number of stars in the sky diminish, what had Kim Dokja thought about until the very end?

«Inho-ssi.»

I turned to find Kyung Sein and Lee Dansu waiting for me.

I gave a nod and asked.
«Is the dungeon cleared out?»

«Yes. It appears everyone has been evacuated now.»

Immediately after the theater dungeon concluded, we had managed the acquired items and moved the injured readers to the lower levels of the theater.

Kyung Sein added.
«The posters are all gone, and the dungeon’s errors seem to have mostly stabilized.»

A few individuals had remained trapped in the movies even after the dungeon was cleared, likely a side effect of the probability disturbance that occurred on the rooftop. Fortunately, with the active cooperation of several readers, including Kyung Sein and Lee Dansu, we had fought for days and eventually rescued everyone.

«How is the condition of the 2nd apostle?»
«Thankfully, Killer King fell asleep after consuming the ‘Elaine Forest Spirit’.»

Killer King, whom I had been concerned about, was recovering well. I breathed a quiet sigh, recalling his fierce battle against the ‘Lord of the Cretaceous Period’.

«Are you alright, Inho-ssi? You used more than ten ‘Elaine Forest Spirit’ pills this time…»

Each ‘Elaine Forest Spirit’ cost 500 coins. It was a significant expense, but the cost was justified by the readers we had saved. Besides, such investments often returned through sponsorship.

«Don’t worry about it. Are you two unharmed?»
«As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.»
Kyung Sein flexed her small biceps.

Dansu-ahjussi inquired.
«Is your friend doing okay?»
«Ah, that… I didn’t do anything special.»

Officially, I was known to have simply passed out and later woken up in a corner of the rooftop garden. That was the public story, but unofficially, the truth was different.

「 I became Kim Dokja for a moment. 」

I wasn’t sure why I had done it. But in that instant, I felt I had no other choice. Perhaps anyone in my position would have done the same.

People had been thrown into a dying world, and they were waiting for someone only they remembered. And I alone knew the secrets of this world.

I had to lie.
I didn’t want them to surrender. I needed them to endure this brutal scenario alongside me. I needed readers; I needed them to survive. That was all.

«Did you find anything up on the roof? I heard the final fight happened there.»
The prevailing story was that a confrontation between Kim Dokja, Yoo Jonghyuk, Jung Heewon, and the dungeon’s owner had taken place on the theater rooftop near Chungmuro.

«Yeah, well… nothing out of the ordinary.»
This was fortunate for me. Explaining my encounter and battle with Han Sooyoung would have been a headache.

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ asks what exactly happened.]
[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-eating Tiger’ asks if anyone managed to record it.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ demands to know what the dokkaebi was doing.]

It seemed the constellations couldn’t fully comprehend the situation, likely due to the ‘probability disturbance’ that had erupted on the rooftop. A part of me felt a twinge of regret that no one had witnessed that incredible clash—a battle against ‘Han Sooyoung’ herself.

[A constellation that has not yet revealed their modifier smiles lightly.]

You could never be sure.
Had someone seen?

«Seriously… was Kim Dokja really here? Did you see him, Inho-ssi?»
I instinctively glanced back toward where I had fought Han Sooyoung.

Looking back, it was a dizzying conflict. I was struck by her sword, my heart pierced. I distinctly remembered dying there. Yet, when I awoke, my wounds were miraculously healed. Han Sooyoung must have revived me.

Why had she saved me?
And where had she gone?

«Inho-ssi?»
I could feel the two of them watching me from behind.

Wouldn’t it be better for these people to remain unaware?
The truth was, Kim Dokja wasn’t here. The one here was just me.

«Yes, I saw him too.»
I turned back to them with a grin.

「 Kim Dokja was definitely here. 」

Honesty wasn’t always the best policy. Sometimes, life had to be sustained by a lie. Perhaps that was why we read stories.

Suddenly, I felt I understood a little why Han Sooyoung had brought me back.

«Let’s head down.»
I walked with my hands on their shoulders. I took one last look at the place I had been standing.

I truly wish it had been you there.

Two blue eyes ignited within the pitch-black void of space.
【They have arrived.】

Following them, other eyes materialized throughout the cosmos. Red and blue, each eye etched with its own story. A majestic pressure from beyond the void saturated their every gaze.

All were focused on a single world.
The world line they had observed for so long.
The forgotten 41st world, and the final ‘blank space’ permitted for modification by the ‘last wall’.

【Those who have witnessed the oldest dream.】

An electric hum resonated from across the universe. A light of thought echoing in a place with no medium. Nameless beings howled in agony, and enraged deities from other realms roared with hatred.

The outer gods, representing all that was forsaken in the world, spoke.
【Kim Dokja Company.】

The universe vibrated with ominous energy. The gazes of the outsiders turned toward Earth. A distant legend within their sight engulfed the entire galaxy, writhing.

【Be calm. It is not yet time for you to move.】

A voice interrupted them.
A being clad in a white coat was managing the burden of the outer gods on Earth’s behalf.

【Do you intend to ruin the final chapter?】

It was RepresentativeKimDokja.

The outer god who recognized him uttered a truth in unison.
【You made a promise.】
【Kim Dokja’s Company must not exist here.】

RepresentativeKimDokja shook his head.
【I am the one who summoned ‘Kim Dokja’s Company’ here.】

As if unable to comprehend, the fabric of story bent once more under the strain. Even amidst suffocating sparks, RepresentativeKimDokja continued calmly.

【Have you forgotten? This story can only be completed without them. The universe you desire will never come to pass as long as they exist.】

For the first time, the outer god’s momentum wavered at his words.
【They will all perish here. Along with the ‘oldest dream’ they so cherished.】

RepresentativeKimDokja, wearing a gentle smile, continued to appease the outer god.
【So please, be patient a while longer. The final chapter will soon be ready for you.】

The eyes of the outer gods trembled slightly, then began to close their heavy lids one by one. The turbulent pressure of the stories that had been crushing the earth gradually subsided.

As the last eyes closed, a voice as profound as the deep sea resonated.
【The unrecorded story will be watching you.】

The moment I descended to Chungmuro Station, a message appeared before my eyes.

[Main Scenario #3 – Emergency defense battle has ended.]
[You have received 2,000 coins as a reward.]

I had forgotten about the ‘emergency defense battle’—the third scenario that had nearly ended prematurely due to the spreading ‘venomous fog’.

[You have made a decisive contribution to the ‘emergency defense battle’.]
[You have received an additional 2,000 coins as a reward.]
[Your first story related to this scenario is germinating.]

First story.
Seeing that message again made me nervous. The nature of one’s first story in this world was critically important. Kim Dokja’s first story was ‘The King of a Kingless World’. What would mine be?

Checking the message log, I found a large backlog of unread messages.

[The progress of the main scenario is delayed due to the aftermath of a probability disturbance.]
[The fourth main scenario will be announced in one hour.]
[You currently have 48 unread messages.]

There were messages about the scenario delay and numerous indirect messages from various constellations. The aftermath of the probability disturbance on the rooftop had clearly been severe, enough to halt the main scenario’s progress. If that was the case, the Bureau must have been in an uproar—but it wasn’t just them.

[The nebula <Tamra> is paying attention to you.]

I offered a bitter internal laugh. I wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or anxious about such a message.

«Wow, Inho-ssi. Now…»
Kyung Sein spoke up, clearly surprised. The message was public, it seemed.

«As expected of Inho-ssi, who reached the final floor. It must be different. Ahjussi and I couldn’t get that far…»
She asked, «What floor did you say you reached?»

«The 7th floor.»
In truth, the 7th floor was an impressive achievement. It was nearly the top.

Wait a moment. If she was on the 7th floor…
«Did you happen to go into ‘that movie’?»

Kyung Sein, who understood which movie I meant, nodded eagerly.
«Yeah! Inho-ssi must have seen it too! Summoned! Load! Launch! Ku kwa kwa kwang! Two-quake-quake-quawa!»

Was that her description of the legendary Battle of Myeongnyang? Setting aside her vocabulary, I felt a pang of envy watching her.

«It couldn’t have been easy to persuade Lee Jihye.»
«Ah, that’s right. Ahjussi and I worked hard to encourage her. You know, like Kim Dokja did.»
«You did that?»

From what I recalled, Kim Dokja hadn’t exactly ‘encouraged’ Lee Jihye. If anything, he had awakened her in a rather perilous way.

Noticing my look, Kyung Sein smiled and glanced back at me.
«Hee hee, I didn’t do it exactly, but… my words didn’t really work.»

I thought I had a vague idea of what happened. Dansu-ahjussi had probably seen his own daughter, Jiyoon, in Lee Jihye.

«I didn’t say much. I just stayed by her side until she found her resolve again.»
«Ah, but you did say one thing.»
«That…»

Dansu-ahjussi evaded her words, seeming embarrassed, while Kyung Sein cleared her throat and adopted a solemn tone.
«It’s okay to live.»

The contemplative ahjussi quickly added,
«Anyone could have said that!»

What anyone could say.
But sometimes, a person can live their whole life without ever hearing those simple words. Perhaps Lee Jihye was one such person.

[The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ looks favorably upon the incarnation.]

It seemed the role of an ahjussi was quite significant in this world line. I had a feeling.

Just then, a small monster came running toward us with a light barking sound from afar. We instinctively reached for our weapons, but relaxed when we recognized it.

«Oh, Max.»
It was the landlord’s rat, Max, whom I had saved during the emergency defense battle. It had apparently grown friendly with humans over the past three days. Max ran around us, happily sticking out its tongue.

[The constellation ‘Dog Who Threw Himself into the Flames’ nods at the landlord’s loyalty.]

As I gently stroked the rat’s head, I noticed a boy waving at us from beyond the turnstile.
«Everyone is here.»

The 7th apostle, Ye Hyunwoo, was waiting for us.
«Is the dungeon cleared?»
«Yes, it’s finished.»
«We just finished up here. All the injured have been moved downstairs.»

Ye Hyunwoo looked between me and my party for a moment before speaking.
«Inho-ssi, could we talk for a moment…»

After asking my party for a moment, I followed Ye Hyunwoo.

He led me to an unexpected location. The simple gender signs on the doors felt strangely unfamiliar, a stark reminder that the civilization I knew had been destroyed.

«I didn’t realize these were still usable.»
«Yes. The electricity works. Water runs. It almost feels like nothing has happened when you’re in here.»

The restroom of a ruined world.
I didn’t particularly need to use it, so I stood for a moment, staring into the bathroom mirror. All I saw was Cheon Inho’s face, eyes narrowed in a feigned calm. Since I was still looking at this face, I supposed it was worth a glance.

Ye Hyunwoo, washing his hands beside me, asked,
«Can the constellations see us in the bathroom?»
«It’s listed.»

Restroom. A place meant for private business, for washing hands and grooming oneself.

[The constellation ‘Rice Cake-eating Tiger’ claims to be a constellation that knows manners.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ declares it won’t look away.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ warns everyone to leave the channel.]

Perhaps ‘privacy’ was a concept that no longer existed for humanity. I was realizing what the characters in this world had to contend with. Now, the word ‘alone’ held no meaning.

«I heard Kim Dokja appeared.»
His voice was casual, like the sound of the faucet turning off.

I answered after a brief pause.
«Ah, yes.»
«He apparently appeared suddenly on the dungeon roof and gave people instructions. Thanks to that, quite a few readers survived.»
«Yeah, I heard that too.»
«Aren’t you curious?»
«About what?»

Suddenly, the boy’s face reflected in the mirror seemed as alien as the restroom symbols. For a moment, I wondered how well I truly knew Ye Hyunwoo. I didn’t know who he really was—his gender, his age, his past. Perhaps all of that was meaningless now.

«None of the survivors from the ‘Theatre Dungeon’ actually saw Kim Dokja ascend to the roof.»
I recalled the tragedies that had unfolded there—readers turning swords on each other, the Misreadings Association killing without remorse. Before entering, I had held some trust for the 7th apostle, Ye Hyunwoo.

«Kim Dok-ja appeared ‘suddenly,’ as if he had literally fallen from the sky. You know what’s even more astonishing?»
What about now? Was Ye Hyunwoo still someone to be trusted?

Ye Hyunwoo, lightly drying his hands, looked into the mirror and said,
«Even the constellations in the sky don’t know precisely what happened on that rooftop.»

A chill ran down my spine.
How could Ye Hyunwoo, a mere incarnation, already be aware of the constellations’ consensus?

«Inho-ssi.»
Through the mirror, Ye Hyunwoo’s eyes were fixed on me. At that moment, I sensed the presence of several others in the bathroom stalls.

The moment I prepared to activate ‘Thought Communication,’ Ye Hyunwoo asked me.
«By any chance… are you ‘Kim Dokja’?»