Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 659

Chapter 659

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

659 Episode 19 Reader (1)
I had never intended to use [Incite] from the start.

If even a trace of the ahjussi’s original mind remained, I planned to use [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint] to find a way to reach him.

«I won’t kill you! I won’t kill you!»

Dansu ahjussi, visible in the distance, was screaming the same phrase over and over.

Even though I knew it was futile, I shouted back at him.

«Ahjussi! You have to calm down!»

I had located Dansu ahjussi using [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint], but that was all I could manage.

My skill allowed me to see through his eyes and access his memories, yet I couldn’t truly feel what he was feeling.

「 Is it because I still don’t understand him well enough? 」

A man who had devoted his entire life to his daughter.
A man who lost his wife and then his own health.
Now I understood why he was wearing a hospital gown at the final ‘banquet’.
That was likely the last form Lee Dansu took before his possession.

«Dansu ahjussi! It’s Cheon Inho!»

I needed to stop him at any cost. But ahjussi had already absorbed five star jewels and had reached the 5th stage of madness.

Aaaaaang!

The labyrinth shook violently. Killer King, observing from the side, commented.

«Such incredible physical power. Getting close would mean being crushed instantly.»

Incarnations caught by the sweep of ahjussi’s fist were flung aside, their bodies bursting apart.

«Are you still going to try?»
«I have to.»

However, reaching ahjussi would not be simple.
The fire flute I used for provocation had drawn the attention of not just Dansu ahjussi, but others as well.

Wild beasts from throughout the maze were now converging on his location.
Most were embodiments of the Misreading Association.

«It’s the Misreading Association.»

Though not every union member belonged to the ‘Misreading Association’.

«Kill the Misreading Association.»

I almost asked if he had a radar, but a small, black-shined projectile launcher extended from Killer King’s arm. An S-class item, without a doubt.

*Shush shush.*

With every arrow fired, an incarnation charging down the corridor was struck down.
The incredible rate of fire and precision suggested the use of [Improved Fire Rate] and [Improved Aiming].

It was clearly an item from his personal arsenal.

The incarnations hit by the rapid volley of arrows cried out in pain and shock.

«The second apostle.»

Killer King’s name was being spoken everywhere; he had apparently already made a reputation for himself here.

[A small number of constellations are focusing on ‘Incarnation Kang Ilhun’.]

Who could have predicted that an extra like Kang Ilhun would grow this powerful?
Perhaps because he had attracted constellation attention, his expression was unusually fervent.

«Leave the small ones to me.»
«Take down the second apostle first.»

Seeing Killer King as the primary threat, the Alliance incarnations all charged toward him at once.

Unfazed, Killer King invoked a holy spirit.
A red mist swirled around his body.
I immediately recognized which Holy Spirit it was.

The Great Warrior Jophiel’s ‘503 Unit’.
As Killer King drew his bowstring, the crimson mist coiled around the arrowhead like a living thing.

«Perish.»

The arrow shot forward and upon impact, caused a dust explosion.
The elite forces of the ‘503 Corps’, fragmenting like grenade shrapnel, tore through five or six nearby incarnations at blinding speed, turning them into sieves.

«Ugh! Aaaaaaaaaah!»

Terrified, several union members collapsed.

I hated to admit it, but it was an impressive display.
His mannerisms were like Kim Namwoon’s, but his combat prowess was startling, even by Yoo Jonghyuk’s standards.

Killer King nodded with a cryptic smile, as if he had read my thoughts.

«Go. Kim Dokja.»
«I’m not.»
«I believe.»

I didn’t know what he meant, but it seemed this was my only opportunity.

As I rushed forward, Literature Girl 64 moved alongside me.

«It’s a game my brother plays often.»
«I have a general idea.»

Just as Yoo Jonghyuk and Kim Dokja teamed up in the main story, we would fight together now.

«Then what is Yerin’s role?»
«It changes every time.»

Literature Girl 64 added, elegantly kicking away an incarnation that lunged at her.

«Isn’t it Han Sooyoung’s turn now?»

Kim Dokja, Yoo Jonghyuk, and Han Sooyoung.
How I wished the people here now were the real ones.

[A constellation that has not yet revealed their modifier is watching you.]

If they were here, the ones who turned impossible into possible, they would have found a way to save Dansu ahjussi.

«Yerin-ssi.»

At my call, Literature Girl 64 nodded.

A powerful incarnation’s energy signature was visible just ahead of Dansu ahjussi.
The brilliantly shining Dustman was unmistakably different from the others.

«It’s the king.»
«I’ll handle it.»

[Incarnation ‘Lee Seyeon’ activates ‘battle action mode’!]

Literature Girl 64’s main skill, which allowed her to input commands and unleash combo skills, activated.

However, the king was slightly faster.

«Everyone, move aside!»

I had to stop him.

But the path was blocked again by union members emerging from a side passage.
The support fire from Killer King was also becoming delayed.

It was due to the appearance of long-range specialists on the other side.

«Fire!»

A line of archers, bows drawn, stood arrayed on the far side of the corridor.

I instinctively swung my sword, channeling magic power into the Broken Faith.

[‘Blade of Faith’ is activated!]

I barely deflected the arrows, but each one carried significant force.
An incarnation with specialized archery skills was clearly among them.

Could I break through?
It wouldn’t be impossible if I used [Incite].

Like when I fought the ark of the Beggar Sect, if I borrowed Kyrgios’s power, I could smash through the arrow barrage and reach Dansu ahjussi in one go.

The problem was what came after.
Having already expended energy on [Strengthen Sentence], would I have anything left to stop Dansu ahjussi?

Just then, a message came through the group chat.

—Ahjussi, get down.

I instinctively grabbed Literature Girl 64’s shoulder and pulled her down.
Looking back, I saw Shin Yoosoung placing her palm on the ground. Simultaneously, portals shimmered into existence within the maze.

[Monster Gate.]

I was astonished.
Was Shin Yoosoung already capable of opening a gate?

From within the gates, dozens of Nagaks she had tamed began to swarm out.

«What, what is this?! Where did they come from?!»

The incarnations shot arrows wildly at the emerging monsters.
In response, the Nagaks opened their mouths and began to sing in unison.

[Nagak Ensemble.]

Even the mighty king was thrown into the air by the bombardment of sonic waves and slammed into a wall.
While the confused incarnations scattered, Shin Yoosoung’s voice reached me.

—Go, ahjussi.

Sparks of light flickered around Shin Yoosoung’s body as she controlled the Nagaks.
—You said he was important to you.

Shin Yoosung’s golden eyes glimmered. They were the eyes of a child looking at me, yet seeing something else entirely.
—You must not die.

I ran, infusing [Broken Faith] with the [White and Blue Steel]. I cut down the limbs of any incarnations in my path, charging straight for ahjussi.

«Now, throw it! Give him another one!»

But they were faster than me.
A star jewel soared through the air and was absorbed into Dansu ahjussi’s dust figure. With a whimpering sound, his entire body began to distort once more.

[Incarnation ‘Lee Dansu’ has acquired 1 additional Star Jewel!]
[A total of 6 star jewels have been acquired.]
[Incarnation ‘Lee Dansu’ enters ‘Madness Stage 6’.]

«Yerin!»

The moment the king turned, Literature Girl 64’s kick connected with his face.
I didn’t miss the opening and finally reached Dansu ahjussi.

Once again, the giant form of Dansu let out a groan of agony.
Tears streamed continuously from the old man’s eyes.

Now, merely being near him made my skin crawl.
Every instinct screamed a warning.

Was this how it felt when I first met Yoo Jonghyuk in the 41st round?
I understood now the sensation of facing a different species, a being with entirely different physical capabilities.

[The overall stats of ‘Incarnation Cheon Inho’ have exceeded the scenario limits.]
[Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is ineffective. Victory in direct combat is impossible.]

「 Only one path remains. 」

I never wanted to take this path.
«I won’t kill you. I won’t kill you.»

The old man reached his hand out toward me. It moved in slow motion, and I could have evaded it.
But I stood my ground.

This was, so to speak,
«I will kill you.»

My small atonement for Dansu ahjussi.

My arm twisted with a sickening crunch.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.9’ is activated!]
[I am Yoo Jonghyuk.]

As Yoo Jonghyuk’s steely resolve flooded my mind, I barely clung to consciousness amidst the overwhelming pain.

«Ahjussi. I don’t want to do this either. But.»

He looked at me as if he were actually hearing me.
«I will deceive you just this once.»

I took a deep breath, struggling to contain the agony.
«I am.»

This was a lie I should never tell.
Even so, it was the only way to save Dansu ahjussi.

«I am Noh Jiyoon.»

[Exclusive skill ‘Incitement Lv. 9’ is activated!]

Simultaneously, ahjussi flinched.
The face of the old man, streaked with black, bloody tears, fixed on me.
The man who could see nothing was now seeing something.

In this world, a scene only he and I could witness.
「 There stood a girl. Petite, with a round face. Eyebrows set slightly wider than most. Plump cheeks that still held their childish softness. 」

A muscle in Dansu ahjussi’s cheek twitched, and the corner of his mouth trembled. In that subtle spasm of emotion, I read his heart.
«Give me the star jewel.»

In this Star Labyrinth, there are two known ways to take another’s Stardust.
One is to unite ‘Dustmen’ by forming a group.
The second is to kill others and take it from their dust form.

But as I suspected, those weren’t the only methods.
If they were, other ‘kings’ wouldn’t be able to throw star jewels to Dansu ahjussi.

My hypothesis was this:
If [Dust] is condensed into a ‘Star Jewel’, that jewel becomes tradable!

*Burrr.*

The dust comprising Dansu ahjussi shuddered in the air.
He trembled in confusion, then slowly reached out a hand.
A shimmering, five-colored stone materialized.
It was a star jewel.

Ahjussi offered me the jewel like a father presenting a birthday gift to his daughter.
«Ji… yoon… ah.»

[You have acquired 1 ‘Star Jewel’.]
[Entering ‘Madness Stage 1’.]

The dust figure above my head consumed the star jewel eagerly.
The plan had worked.

The surrounding union incarnations grew agitated.
If they attacked now, both me and Dansu ahjussi would be in danger.
But as I predicted, they held back.

«Huh? That guy is taking the star jewels?»
«It’s fine. Let him.»
«He’s succumbing to his own greed.»

I knew it.
Their true goal was the ‘Death Sword’.
It didn’t matter to them who gathered the seven jewels.

They understood the 8th rule of the Star Labyrinth perfectly.
With each ‘Star Jewel’ acquired, the ‘Madness’ value increases.

No one in this labyrinth could collect seven star jewels and keep their sanity due to the ‘Madness Penalty’.
Their plan was to use a sacrificial lamb to gather the jewels and then simply take the summoned Death Sword.

«Hahaha! Eat up!»

Their scheme was obvious from the start.
If this continued, I would become a madman just like him.

[Entering ‘Madness Stage 2’.]

With each new star jewel, I felt my body transforming.
My overall stats surged explosively, and my magical energy coalesced in real time. My blood vessels sang with a sharp, new energy.

[Entering ‘Madness Stage 3’]

It felt like my brain was expanding, threatening to burst my skull.
But I bit my lip and endured.
I could do this.

I possessed equipment with strong anti-magic properties, and most importantly, I had [Incite].
I was confident.
Even if I fell into madness, I could withstand it.

Without losing my mind, I would gather all seven jewels, summon the Death Sword, and shatter the Absolute Throne.

「 Kim Dokja does not exist in this world. 」

That was precisely why I had to do it.
Only I could thwart this world’s ambitions.

I saw Killer King and Shin Yoosoung shouting at me from afar.
I smiled back at them, a signal that I was okay.

[You have acquired 5 star jewels.]
[Entering Madness Stage 5.]

It was becoming dangerous. My eyes felt like they would burst, my vision tinted red.
My grip on reason was weakening.

Now, Dansu ahjussi’s power was significantly diminished. I released the [Incite] form of ‘Noh Jiyoon’ and mustered my final focus.

What I needed now was someone who could endure this terrible madness.
Several candidates came to mind.
Yoo Jonghyuk, Jung Heewon, Han Sooyoung, Lee Hyunsung.
But none seemed capable of easily withstanding this level of insanity.

I needed a person with ‘unbreakable mental strength’.
And no matter how I thought about it, there was only one such person.

A man who loved a single story for over ten years.
The protagonist who, even after dying countless times, never gave up on the ending he desired.

«I am Kim Dokja.»

This was something only Kim Dokja could do.

It was then that an unfamiliar sentence flashed before my eyes.

「 At that moment, Lee Hakhyun did not know. 」

A sentence that appeared without warning. It was a phrase I recognized from somewhere.

「 That he would never be able to return to how he was before. 」

The moment I intuited that something was terribly wrong and frantically tried to cancel the skill.

[The exclusive skill ‘Incite Lv.9’ is activated!]

I heard something inside me shatter.