Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 619

Chapter 619

619 Episode 13 King (3)
All of a sudden, I remembered the day I had first recklessly begun my initial web novel.

That first story was titled 『The Orc Philosopher』.

After she finished reading it, my editor at the time, Ji Eunyu, had said this:

「 «We’ll set aside the fact that the protagonist is an orc for the moment.» 」

An orc is an unpopular choice. Noted.

「 «I’ll also set aside the part about him being a philosopher.» 」

Philosophers are problematic too. Noted.

「 «The real issue begins now. The main character you’ve written is far too rigid.» 」

「 «He isn’t flexible enough?» 」

「 «Look at chapter two here. Right at the beginning, he stupidly handles a dangerous situation he could have evaded without getting struck from behind.» 」

I asked her again while looking over my own writing.

「 «But don’t all the other stories start with a blow to the back of the head?» 」

「 «If you get hit from behind, you need to get back up immediately. Awaken, regress, or possess! He doesn’t do any of that. What if he just continues to wallow in despair? We need to see unexpected actions from him.» 」

「 «This character is a scholar. Doesn’t scholarship fundamentally begin from a place of despair?» 」

「 «And here in chapter six. It’s the same problem. The protagonist is striving too much.» 」

「 «But isn’t it good to be diligent?» 」

「 «If you push yourself this hard, there must be a payoff.» 」

「 «It’s only been thirty years for him…» 」

「 «The average hero strives for thirty years and earns a reward!» 」

「 «He has achieved the enlightenment that some things remain impossible even after thirty years of effort.» 」

Ignoring my comment, Ji Eunyoo indicated the next chapter.

「 «Episode 15 is also problematic.» 」

「 «There’s a part where the main character rescues the vulnerable… Is that not allowed?» 」

「 «Saving the vulnerable is fine, but if the hero helps them, he must also receive a reward. The protagonist helped because he implicitly understood that. But look! Right now, your character saves the weak, but is only met with misunderstanding and pointed fingers!» 」

I paused to consider before responding.

「 «Does that truly matter?» 」

「 «It matters a great deal!» 」

「 «If you assist someone expecting compensation, is it truly a selfless act?» 」

Ji Eunyoo observed me with a strange look and answered:

「 «But this is the way of the ‘standard protagonist’.» 」

「 «Shouldn’t the main character be standard?» 」

「 «There was an era when an exceptional protagonist was the norm. The boys’ comics of the 90s were like that. A noble and lofty hero. Defending the weak, battling villains, falling into deep despair, sometimes being captured and losing all sense of self. Look at other popular works these days. How many main characters like that do you see?» 」

I reflected on it.
Ji Eunyoo did seem to be correct.

「 «The times are different now. Even within the fantasy genre, the narrative has moved a step closer to reality.» 」

Ji Eunyoo went on, gazing down into her mug of instant coffee.

「 «Readers nowadays prefer an ordinary person becoming a hero. They can see themselves in that. Someone who acts out their small, daily revenges. A lead who isn’t overly earnest, has the right amount of adaptability, and is properly compensated for his efforts. A protagonist who understands how to claim his due reward. Most people in reality never even get that much.» 」

Thinking back, perhaps her words weren’t solely about fiction.
The expression on Ji Eunyoo’s face as she spoke looked peculiarly weary.

「 «If you simply hear the description, it makes him sound more like a schemer than a hero.» 」

「 «Even if it’s calculated, who actually does good deeds anymore? In the world we live in, that alone is enough to make you a protagonist.» 」

Ji Eunyoo’s counsel, much like the instant coffee, was sweet yet left a bitter aftertaste.

「 «It is the writer’s duty to make a misunderstood protagonist appear sympathetic.» 」

The reason that old discussion came to mind was likely because of the question Ye Hyunwoo was now facing.

«We recognize your talent. But do you truly have the right to speak for all of us?»

Ye Hyunwoo responded to the aggressive comments without backing down.

«Qualifications aren’t a pre-existing condition. But if you grant me your acknowledgment, that will become my qualification.»

As he said this, Ye Hyunwoo was looking directly at the ‘readers’.
He was speaking to us—to me, right now.
He was asking to be selected as the main character of this stage.

「 Does Ye Hyun-woo possess the qualities of a protagonist? 」

I remembered the list of ‘main character’ qualifications Ji Eunyoo had outlined.

1. Awaken, return, or possess.
Ye Hyunwoo had possessed someone.

2. Be adaptable.
His adaptability was undeniable, no matter how I assessed him.

3. Be pragmatic.
Ye Hyeonwoo did not strike me as someone who would make a bad deal.
It was obvious just from how he demanded a ‘new era’ in exchange for concealing my secret.

4. Act for the vulnerable and be rewarded.
Ye Hyunwoo had definitely acted for the weak.
Even in the ‘emergency defense battle’, without Ye Hyunwoo, the death toll would certainly have been greater.
Was that all? Ye Hyunwoo had even declared before everyone, using [Lie Detection], that he would protect them all.
He doesn’t have a skill like my [Incite], so that vow must have been sincere.
In return, he had become a frontrunner to lead Chungmuro.

He had met every modern protagonist condition mentioned by Ji Eunyoo up to this point.
Furthermore, a fragment of Kim Dokja must be inside him.
There was no reason he couldn’t become the ‘Kim Dokja’ of this narrative.

But why?
A persistent ache lingered in my chest.

[The ‘representative election’ will commence in 30 seconds.]

It was then that Mr. Dansu seized my collar.
«Inho-ssi, Hyunwoo-ssi must not do this. That boy is a friend of Jiyoon’s.»
Mr. Dansu’s daughter, Jiyoon, was still a minor. She was probably a high school student.
If he was a friend of a girl that age, then Ye Hyeonwoo was also just a teenager.
Considering that made Ye Hyunwoo’s achievements even more astonishing.
A teenage boy had survived this long on his own and was now contending to represent ‘Chungmuro Station’.
Yet, just because the boy was capable, could I truly hand over such a heavy responsibility to him?

[The management bureau retracts its preliminary suitability assessment.]
Right on cue, the administration also made its stance clear.
[The Bureau of Management determines there are no significant issues with its probability of existence.]

Suddenly, I recalled Kim Dokja’s words.
That in this world, age and gender are irrelevant.
But was it truly acceptable? Was it right for this world to mirror 『Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint』 so closely?

«Don’t worry, Mr. Dansu.»
I spoke as if to reassure him.
«I won’t allow it.»

It wasn’t that I distrusted Ye Hyunwoo.
The boy would keep his promises and ensure people’s safety.
The issue was what would come after.
Every enemy from here on would target Ye Hyeonwoo’s life. Just as the Kim Dokja from the original story had endured countless sacrifices.

[The constellation ‘Red Mountain Army’ is glaring at the incarnation ‘Ye Hyeonwoo’.]
[The constellation ‘Snake That Cut Off Its Tail’ scoffs at ‘Ye Heonwoo’s statements’.]
[Very few constellations believe the incarnation ‘Ye Hyunwoo’ is arrogant.]

It had likely already begun.
A faction hostile to Ye Hyunwoo.
Constellations from the Misreading Association and other nearby high-level constellations were baring their fangs at him.
Ye Hyeonwoo’s face paled slightly under the threats emanating from all directions, but he held his ground.

[Incarnation ‘Yeh Hyunwoo’ activates ‘Lie detection’.]
Instead, he stepped further into the center of Chungmuro Station and made an offer.
«To those who are the first to support me as representative, I will provide certain benefits. And to those who do not support me—»

[‘Lie detection’ has verified the statement is true.]
«There will be no penalties whatsoever. I will protect everyone here no matter the circumstances.»

Ye Hyunwoo must have understood.
A single misstep here could mean his death.
He could earn the hatred of constellations and be betrayed by the people.
Yet, Ye Hyeonwoo stood firm and mustered his courage.
It was probably because he had studied Kim Dokja’s story so intensely.

[Sub Scenario – Representative Election’ begins.]
But he still didn’t fully grasp it.
This world was no longer the ‘Omniscient Reader’ he remembered.

<Sub Scenario: Election of representatives>
Category: Sub
Difficulty: C
Clear condition: Seize control of the ‘white flag’ placed at the center of the platform.
Time limit: 30 minutes.
Reward: 1,000 coins
Failure: —
* The station’s representative can exert strong authority over all members.

Along with the message, a ‘white flag’ materialized in the middle of Chungmuro Station.
Up to that point, the progression matched the original story.
«Hey, it actually appeared!»

The problem was the message that followed.

[If the red flag’s owner remains unchanged for 5 minutes after acquisition, Chungmuro Station will fall under the flag owner’s control.]
[‘Capturing the flag’ transfers ownership and resets the 5-minute timer.]
[‘Capturing the flag’ is achieved by eliminating the current flag owner.]

For a moment, my own heart skipped a beat.
An additional message, absent from the original, had been included.
‘Capture is achieved by eliminating the owner’?
Naturally, the flag was positioned right beside Ye Hyeonwoo.

Ye Hyunwoo reached out a slightly trembling hand and stated.
«If there are no objections, I will take it.»

Seeing a message like that was intimidating, but Ye Hyunwoo was resolute. He likely felt he had no other choice.
«If you touch that now, we become enemies immediately.»

Just as expected, the woman with the steel bars – Goo Seonah, stepped forward. Beside her was Kim Gyeongsik, the elderly man with a pipe.
«We haven’t consented to you being the representative yet.»

They had instantly assessed the situation. If this continued, Ye Hyunwoo would become the leader of Chungmuro Station.
I simply wanted to prevent that.
«Everyone else, please speak up!»

The group aligned with Goo Seonah and Kim Kyungsik added their voices. Kim Kyungsik, taking a draw from his pipe, spoke.
«I heard your address. But you omitted a crucial detail. That you are not the only ‘apostle’.»

Kim Kyungsik’s words once again stirred unrest in the chamber.
«There may be companions here who are unaware, but there is more than one ‘apostle’ in this world. Even if a handful, like that boy, know the future, there are over a dozen of us. And I am one of them.»

[Constellation, ‘Bald General of Justice’ speaks.]
[Constellation, ‘Heungmu the Great’ questions if that is truly feasible.]

Kim Kyungsik continued, seizing the moment while the incarnations were unsettled.
«I acknowledge that Ye Hyunwoo possesses remarkable qualities. But you are notably young among us. How can someone with limited life experience lead this group?»

For the first time, Ye Hyunwoo showed anger at the mention of his age.
«Sir, I believe one’s original age is largely irrelevant now.»
«Hmph. What are you saying? My mind may feel young, but I am your elder.»
«Age does not automatically grant wisdom. The crucial skill in this world is how effectively one can remember and utilize ‘Revelation’.»
«I have also read Revelation six times—»
«Only six times.»

Kim Kyungsik’s face flushed.
«I’ve read it fifty times.»

At that number, another wave of astonishment went through the readers.
Fifty was indeed a staggering count.
Reading a single novel fifty times was madness, especially a novel that spanned 551 chapters in its entirety.
«Wait, if we’re judging by who has read it the most…»

Then the readers’ reactions began to shift strangely. Several glances slowly turned in our direction.
I belatedly realized something.
Among them were people who had witnessed the clash between the uploaders of the Misreading Association and me in the ‘theater dungeon’.

Seizing the opportunity, Kyung Sein raised her hand.
«Hey, if the number of Revelation readings determines leadership, then I have something to say.»
“Kyung Sein, you are not on the level to be here.»
In response to Ye Hyunwoo’s uncharacteristically cold tone, Kyung Sein nodded and replied.
«True. But that’s not my point.»
«Then what is?»
Kyung Sein hesitated before continuing.
«From what I know, there is someone here who has read Revelation more than a hundred times.»
«What nonsense are you talking about?»
Ye Hyunwoo’s voice was oddly angry.
Based on the information gathered, the number of complete readings was a point of pride for the apostles.
Perhaps the ranking among the 7 apostles was based on how many times they had read the story.
«I’ve read it fifty times. Those who have read it more than me are—»
«There are a few, you know.»
Officially, the 7th Apostle, Ye Hyunwoo, was a top member of the Apostolic Society.
This implied six others had read the entire novel more times than he had.
«They exist, but they are not here.»
Among them, only the 2nd Apostle, Killer King, was currently at Chungmuro Station.
However, Killer King was recuperating after consuming the ‘Essence of the Elaine Forest’.
«But there is one person here.»

[‘Lie detection’ has verified the statement is true.]
«Who is it?»

Then, Kyung Sein struck a deliberate pose and pointed both hands directly at me.
Suddenly the center of everyone’s attention, I offered an awkward smile and gave a slight bow.

Ye Hyunwoo stared at me in disbelief.
«Inho-ssi.»
«Yes.»
«Is that statement accurate?»
There was no reason to lie now.
I nodded.
«Please answer truthfully. Inho-ssi, how many times have you read ‘Revelation’?»

[Incarnation ‘Ye Hyunwoo’ is activating ‘Lie Detection’.]
«It’s about a hundred times—»

At my words, Ye Hyunwoo let out a dismissive laugh.
«You must be joking. However much you read, that’s impossible…»

[‘Lie detection’ has verified the statement is false.]

Ye Hyunwoo looked at me, waiting for the truth.
I finished my interrupted sentence.
«More than a hundred times. A hundred and ten? A hundred and twenty? Honestly, I lost count long ago.»

[‘Lie Detection’ has verified the statement is true.]

Ye Hyunwoo’s expression froze.
A profound silence fell over Chungmuro.
It was quiet partly from confusion, and partly from dawning comprehension.

The first to break the silence was a voice from the crowd.
«So that rumor… it was true?»
«There really is a madman who read it over a hundred times?»
Several readers who already knew my count trembled, and Goo Seonah and Kim Kyungsik shook their heads in disbelief.
«He’s not Kim Dokja, but he might be just as insane as Kim Dokja.»
«Hearing that number again is staggering. But did Kim Dokja himself read ‘Ways of Survival’ that many times?»

Ye Hyunwoo, who had remained composed throughout, could no longer conceal his agitation.
He spoke, his voice unsteady.
«There is only one person officially recognized to have read Revelation more than a hundred times. Inho-ssi, could it be that you…»

For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty showed in Ye Hyunwoo’s eyes.
«The leader of the Apostolic Society….. are you the ‘first apostle’?»

It seemed an unwanted misconception was beginning to take root.