Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 654

Chapter 654

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter, adhering to all your conditions.

***

654 Episode 19 People of the Past (6)
Holding my breath with Shin Yoosoung, I concealed myself within the shadows of the underground tunnels.

Suddenly, a band of individuals burst into view from the street corner opposite us.

«This direction!»

Had they detected our presence?

Judging by their deliberate movements, they seemed to be steering intentionally toward this location, and we were the objective.

I reached out to Shin Yoosoung using the ‘group chat’.

—Shin Yoosoung. You need to get out of here now.

A powerful conviction told me that this girl absolutely had to survive.

If Shin Yoosoung were to die here, the 41st round would conclude with the most catastrophic ending I could envision.

—Only if you come with me.

Her reply was resolute.

I paused, uncertain how to respond, but she sent another message before I could.

—But I think we might be able to win?

—Perhaps.

Maybe it was due to her ‘Beast Lord’ affinity? Shin Yoo-seung appeared capable of gauging an incarnation’s strength just by sight.

[The story, ‘The Tenacious Murim Master,’ is agitated.]

The number and caliber of the approaching enemies were significant. It was to be expected, as they were the elite forces under the command of Seoul’s 7 Kings.

But did that mean I would lose? If I were to answer honestly, no.
Had I grown that much stronger?

I had privately considered myself more powerful than the Kim Dokja from the same period in the original timeline, but I hadn’t had a true opportunity to test my capabilities since then.

However, our discussion wasn’t solely about the general threat.

—Those two there are particularly powerful.

I could sense it as well.

Two extraordinary pressures stood out from among the group.

«Gu Taesung! Over here! Now!»

Gu Taesung.

One of the 7 Kings of Seoul. An incarnation whose sponsor was Gyeonwon, the king of Later Baekje.

He was known as ‘The Dragon King’.

Beside him was an incarnation clad in a dark suit, but his identity wasn’t clear from his appearance alone.

«Assassin King. What’s the target?»
«Now, the intelligent type.»

Assassin King.

The assassins who had ambushed us at the dungeon entrance had mentioned that name.

The man in the night suit was undoubtedly the leader of those rookie hunters.

[The exclusive skill ‘Reader Comment List’ has been activated!]

[This reader has chosen an abnormal path.]

[‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ is being used.]

A familiar message.

It was identical to the encounter with the text book writer in the ‘Theatre Dungeon.’

「 They are from the Misreading Association. 」

Those who had plagiarized characters by reading the novel through illegal means.

From what I could discern, both Gu Taesung, the Dragon King, and the Assassin King belonged to that group.

—Big star.

The Dustman’s reaction shifted as well.

It likely indicated that both of them possessed a ‘Star Jewel.’ Shin Yoosoung, beside me, turned to the Dustman and raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

—Ahjussi, what’s the plan?

—We watch for a moment.

Bang Cheolsoo’s warning echoed in my memory.

「 «Brother, if you encounter any of the 7 Kings of Seoul, you must avoid them at all costs.» 」

That had been my intention until now. Gathering star jewels was important, but I wouldn’t take foolish risks with Shin Yoosoung here.

And yet.

「 But aren’t they worth fighting? 」

When I questioned why that thought surfaced, I realized I was unconsciously comparing them to someone else.

[The constellation ‘The Last Ark’ is laughing.]

Now that I considered it, the King of Beggars I had confronted at Seoul Station was the true body of a constellation.

No matter how formidable the 7 Kings of Seoul were, they remained merely incarnations of a great narrative.

In a way, I already had experience facing a top-tier incarnation.

I was weighing the option of attacking when I decided to listen in on their conversation first.

«Report on troop casualties?»
«Some minor injuries, but no fatalities.»
«No fatalities at all?»

An intermittent, deep vibration I recognized echoed from down the passage.

«You didn’t hear? They say he refuses to kill anyone.»
«He isn’t killing anyone.»
«There are rumors they’re aligned with the apostles.»

Apostles?

«I despise their hypocrisy. It’s not as if they’re any different from us; we all read that damned novel.»
«True. What’s the value in spending a few hundred won on it anyway?»

I fought the impulse to immediately step out and strike the back of his head.

Why were they speaking so carelessly?

[A number of constellations are complaining about the recent increase in filtered conversations.]

Since their words were being censored anyway, they had no reason to hold back.

«Any contact from the possessed constellation?»
«None. Not yet. It seems some time has passed.»
«Those wretched fools. Then why provoke the Goryeo’s First Sword?»
«They probably don’t even know their own novel’s plot. We should have been the ones for constellation possession.»

As the resonant vibration from the labyrinth grew nearer, the two men fell silent simultaneously.
«It’s approaching.»

A peculiar tension settled on their faces. Then, from the corridor, came the sound of tearing flesh and a horrific scream.

Following that, the sound of ragged breathing announced the arrival of fleeing incarnations. One with a arm ripped away. Another with a shattered shin. Weaponless, the injured men scrambled toward us in a panic.

Even witnessing their wounded comrades, the two leaders showed little surprise.

As if they had anticipated this very outcome.

«So that’s the power of holding three star jewels?»
«If you’re envious, I can transfer my star jewel to you.»
«I’ll pass.»

A massive shape loomed behind the fleeing avatars.

A gigantic creature, easily twice the size of a normal incarnation.

Was that the Labyrinth Keeper?

The Dustman, spinning anxiously, trembled uncontrollably.

—Big star!

Not a Labyrinth Keeper.

Which meant that monster was also an ‘incarnation’ like us.

But was there such an incarnation in the original Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint?

Shin Yoosoung beside me gripped my sleeve tightly, equally startled.

A faint tremor ran through the child’s fingertips.

«We can’t defeat that.»

The hairs on my arms stood on end, a primal warning.

Though its form was still obscured, the giant shrouded in darkness radiated power exceeding that of Gu Taesung and the Assassin King combined.

Who in the world was it?

At this stage, an entity with combat prowess surpassing the ‘7 Kings of Seoul’…

«Lights!»

At Gu Taesung’s command, someone ignited a light, piercing the darkness of the underground passage.

The giant’s face was unveiled to all.

Arms thick with powerful muscle.

Eyes vacant, devoid of reason. Lips moving repetitively, muttering what sounded like a mantra.

«I will not kill. I won’t kill anyone.»

The moment I heard that voice, a chill shot down my spine.

—Ahjussi?

Ignoring Shin Yoosoung’s call, I surged forward.

«Hey! Who’s that?»

An incarnation who spotted me leaping into the aisle swung a wild knife.

I let the blade deflect off me and swept the incarnation’s legs out from under him.

The man emitted a short cry before his head struck the ground with a thick sound.

Was he dead? I didn’t know.

But this wasn’t the time for hesitation.

My focus was entirely on the giant.

«Looking for someone. I must find someone.»

Why was he here?

I watched the man’s thick hand clawing desperately at the empty air.

It was a different size now, but it was a hand I knew well.

The hand that had asked me where the bugs were. The hand that had retrieved one from under a vending machine.

«Find someone.»

A part of my chest felt like it was caving in.

The first reader I had met after entering this world.

A man dragged into this nightmare for reading a novel his daughter loved.

«Noh Jiyoon. Noh Jiyoon.»

Jiyoon’s father.

«Dansu ahjussi!»

But he seemed deaf to my voice, continuing his futile gestures into the emptiness.

A closer look revealed the old man’s eyes were completely black.

My breath hitched, a torrent of fury and grief crashing over me.

What had happened to him in this time?

Why had he been reduced to this?

What kind of people had done this to him?

Was it because of the fleeting life I’d just witnessed? The group of incarnations turned their attention to my sudden appearance.

I saw Gu Taesung and the Assassin King frown in my direction.

Our eyes met.

Were they the ones responsible for this?

«An interference?»

The Assassin King who had spotted me murmured coolly.

Simultaneously, the sound of impacting flesh echoed from the front of the passage.

[The incarnation ‘Lee Dansu’ has currently acquired 3 Star Jewels.]

With every swing of Dansu Ahjussi’s enormous hand, incarnations were helplessly thrown aside.

«I’m sorry. I’m sorry.»

The incarnations struck by him were wounded, but none were killed. The injuries were severe, yet deliberately non-lethal.

«I won’t kill you. I won’t kill you.»

Remembering, Dansu ahjussi had been like this since the very first scenario.

The man who could kill a bug had never taken a human life.

「 «It’s only because I’m weak.» 」

That’s what he had claimed, but I understood the true reason.

A man forever searching for his daughter.

There was only one reason such a man refused to kill.

「 «I want Jiyoon to be proud of me.» 」

«Dansu ahjussi! Please, listen to me!»

He continued to look around, still unaware of my presence.

An incarnation who had been watching seized the chance to lunge at me from behind. However, a dagger flew from the side, striking the attacker in the neck and sending him collapsing to the ground.

«Ahjussi.»

It was Shin Yoosoung. I gave a curt nod and scanned the surrounding enemies. They were clearly targeting Dansu ahjussi, so dealing with them was the immediate priority.

Just then, Gu Taesung, after checking his watch, looked up.

«I believe you’ve misunderstood. We have no desire to fight you.»

No desire to fight?

He glanced back at his own men who had fallen to me and Shin Yoosoung, clicked his tongue, and continued.

«Do you even comprehend the current situation?»
«Gu Taesung. Stop the idle talk.»

Ignoring the Assassin King’s warning, Gu Taesung looked directly at me and went on.

«You seem to be on the periphery. A word of advice. Leave this place immediately. Or you’ll be trampled by that monster as well.»
«Gu Taesung. It’s here.»

At those words, both Gu Taesung and the Assassin King sprang into action. My grip tightened nervously on my sword’s hilt. If necessary, I was prepared to cut down the kings to save ahjussi.

But.

«Just toss the food and it will stumble.»

Instead of drawing weapons, Gu Taesung and the Assassin King reached for their respective Dustmen.

—Light up.

Two brilliantly shining white jewels were produced from each small Dustman’s mouth.

So that was it. The ‘Star Jewel’ we had been searching for.

What they did next made everything clear.

«Eat this, you monster!»

They hurled their star jewels directly at Dansu ahjussi.

«I’m sorry. I’m sorry.»

The jewels flew toward the man who was endlessly apologizing to the air. The Dustman hovering near ahjussi then opened its mouth wide.

[Incarnation ‘Lee Dansu’ acquires 2 additional ‘Star Jewels’!]

Simultaneously, cracks began to web across ahjussi’s entire body.

With a sickening, tearing sound, his muscles ruptured and swelled grotesquely.

The Assassin King released a low, unpleasant chuckle.
«A success.»

«Just two more feedings and it’s complete. Everyone, fall back!»

The groups led by the Assassin King and Gu Taesung, their mission apparently accomplished, retreated without a backward glance.

Their voices faded into the labyrinth’s depths.

It was as if hunting him had never been their goal.

I couldn’t grasp what was happening.

Struggling through my confusion, I pieced the situation together.

One, Dansu ahjussi already possessed three star jewels.

A simple summary of the events unfolding before me.

«They deliberately gave their star jewels to Dansu ahjussi.»

But why? He already had three. Gaining two more in his state would only make him impossibly strong.

«Unless that was the entire point?»

The rules of this dungeon resurfaced in my mind.

8. Each time 1 ‘Star Jewel’ is acquired, the ‘Madness’ level increases.

It couldn’t be.

I moved toward Dansu ahjussi, who was now kneeling.

«Ahjussi! It’s me! Look at me!»

Dansu ahjussi, now even more colossal, resembled a small giant.

His mere proximity was overwhelming.

A crushing pressure reminiscent of Yoo Jonghyuk, stifling the very air.

To the old man weeping and clawing at the ground in agony, I reached out and shouted.

«It’s me, Cheon Inho! From the subway!»

At the name Cheon Inho, the man lifted his head. A flicker of hope ignited.

Did he remember me?

Ahjussi’s lips were forming a word.

Jiyoon.

The next instant, ahjussi’s massive palm swept toward me. It was a ruthless, inescapable blow. Had Shin Yoosoung not yanked me backward at the last second, I would have been crushed.

I stared at the crater left by Dansu ahjussi’s palm. The floor was shattered, radiating cracks from the point of impact.

A cold sweat drenched my back.

I had nearly died. Truly, I had come within a breath of death.

Shin Yoosoung was shouting something, pulling my sleeve, but all I could hear was ahjussi’s mantra.

«I’m sorry. I’m sorry.»

The man who repeated apologies stared through me with wide, unseeing pupils.

[Incarnation ‘Lee Dansu’ has reached ‘Madness Level 5’.]

Madness level 5.

9. Each time the ‘Madness’ stage increases, overall abilities are greatly enhanced, and sanity is lost.

Only then did I understand why the 7 Kings had abandoned their star jewels and fled.

The tenth rule came to me immediately after.

10. If an individual collects 7 Star Jewels, the Death Sword will be summoned.

Goosebumps prickled across my skin.

「 The goal here was never to collect seven jewels oneself. 」

The ‘star jewels’ in this dungeon were a trap.

They granted formidable power at the cost of one’s sanity.

Therefore, to truly succeed, you must never gather the ‘star jewels’ yourself.

The actual objective of this dungeon was clear.

「 To force someone else to collect ‘7 star jewels’. 」

Dansu ahjussi, now fully a monster, slowly rose and began to advance toward me.