Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 664

Chapter 664

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

664 Episode 20 Reader (6)

The King of No Killing.

In the original story, only Kim Dokja and Selena Kim had ever held this unique attribute.

「 Lee Dansu ahjussi had become the ‘King of No Killing’. 」

Ahjussi now possessed the very characteristic that Kim Dokja had in the original work.

I was overjoyed that ahjussi had survived, yet at the same time, a profound emptiness and loneliness settled over me.

What was Kim Dokja doing right now?

Was he standing in that endless field of snow?

Or was he somewhere unknown, still reading this very story?

If he were looking at this story now, what would he say?

«Wake up! It’s not over yet!»

The man, roused by Killer King’s shout, opened his eyes.

Killer King suddenly sprinted over, wrapped his arms around the man’s waist, and pulled him into a desperate roll.

With a thunderous crash, the venomous dragon’s foot slammed down exactly where the man had been lying, pulverizing the spot.

«Hey, Inho-ssi! Where are you, Inho-ssi-»

The man searched for me, but I couldn’t answer him.

[First-person protagonist’s point of view cannot be activated on this character.]

Perhaps because of the earlier separation, it was now impossible to transfer into the man. From this point on, Dansu ahjussi would have to face this alone.

«Cheon Inho hasn’t regained consciousness yet. We have to manage on our own.»

No, not alone.

Because there were now three complete readers of Kim Dokja’s story.

As if echoing my thoughts, Killer King looked at his companions and spoke.

«We are not Kim Dokja, but each of us possesses at least one of his attributes.»

Killer King added, his gaze shifting to his younger sister and then to Dansu ahjussi.

«Yerin is the [Baekcheonganggi]. You are the [Immortal King]. And I have Kim Dokja’s cold rationality and intellect.»

The last part was a little odd, but Killer King was undoubtedly the only one I could rely on now.

«You can still pull this off.»

The group’s condition was disastrous.

Ja Yerin, who had coughed up blood multiple times, could barely stay on her feet, and Lee Dansu, freshly revived, was still disoriented.

Even so, they refused to surrender.

«That creature has already recovered much of its strength.»

After catching her breath, Yerin spoke.

Had eating the marigold petals earlier had an effect? The state of her toxic poisoning, which had seemed fatal, had improved significantly.

[After 1 minute, the foothold’s position will be regenerated]

Yerin bit her lip in frustration.

«It will be difficult for us by ourselves.»

Lee Dansu could not charge in a single direction, and Ja Yerin could no longer activate [Battle action mode].

Now the only person left to trust was Killer King.

However, Killer King’s stamina was also severely depleted, and he lacked the power needed to deliver a final, decisive blow.

«No, we still have one opportunity.»

I was thinking the same thing as Killer King. The party still had one last chance.

The proof was the intermittent tremors shaking the ground beneath our feet.

The poisonous dragon species glaring at my companions also looked around warily, having noticed it too.

The vibration resonated once more.

Then, with a sound like the edge of the maze collapsing, a monster resembling a black bull emerged.

[The 6th grade guardian species, ‘Labyrinth Sentinel’, has appeared!]

The monster, with the face of a minotaur and a massive executioner’s axe in one hand, was the very creature Bang Cheolsoo had warned us about before we entered the labyrinth.

Judging by the energy it emitted, it was a high-ranking monster among the 6th grade.

Any incarnation would be cleaved in two by a mere touch from that axe.

The reason for its arrival was obvious.

‘The flute of total provocation’.

An item that agitates all types of monsters.

The grass flute I had used earlier had even summoned the labyrinth’s watchman from the maze’s outer edges.

Gooooooo!

The Labyrinth Sentinel released a harsh roar and shattered the barrier of the closed zone.

[6th grade Guardian species, ‘Labyrinth Sentinel’ has recognized the disaster!]

[5th grade poisonous dragon species, ‘Lesser Dragon Poisoner’ recognized ‘Labyrinth Sentinel’.]

The eyes of the two monsters locked in the air.

On one side, a fresh grade 6 species. On the other, a wounded grade 5.

In the tense moment, the labyrinth sentinel was the first to charge.

The huge execution axe bit into the poisonous dragon’s wing scales, and simultaneously, the dragon’s elongated neck sank its fangs into the sentinel’s forearm.

Coo coo coo coo!

The two monsters seized each other and rolled across the ground in a storm of dust.

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is curious about the clash between the monsters.]

[A few constellations are amazed at your cleverness in instigating this conflict.]

[Some constellations who enjoy monster battles sponsor you with 500 coins.]

Killer King said gravely.

«It bought us time. But the dragon will ultimately win.»

Indeed, the monsters’ struggle was quickly reaching a climax.

The entire body of the labyrinth sentinel, which had initially seemed to have the advantage, was instantly covered in deep claw marks from the poisonous dragon. Soon, a green fluid began to ooze from the wounds.

The poison of the dragon species started to corrode the sentinel’s body.

«The ‘Annihilation’ will activate soon.»

Even if the Labyrinth Sentinel held on, the annihilation would commence in one minute.

In other words, the party had to use this opportunity to defeat the disaster.

Magical energy began coalescing around Killer King’s bowgun.

The extraordinary abilities of ‘Valkyrie’s Protection’ and ‘Red Wreath’ merged, making the tip of the arrowhead glow with a crimson light.

«All we need to do is land this one shot.»

The three began to advance while the two monster species were locked in combat.

Their goal was to finish off both weakened monsters simultaneously.

And I was watching everything from behind, powerless to intervene.

I wanted to see a little more.

Even if I couldn’t aid their fight, I wanted to keep watching, if only from a distance.

「 Perhaps this is how Kim Dokja feels when he looks at the world. 」

But my time was almost up.

The time limit for the ‘3rd person observer view’ was approaching.

My body, lying on the floor, convulsed.

A body that had ingested six star gems and was barely suppressing a transformation into a monster.

When [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint] ended, I would be consumed by [madness] once again.

Even if the dragon and the sentinel died, the fight would not be over.

This battle would only end when someone collected the ‘7 Star Jewels’.

«Ahjussi.»

I looked back for a moment. Shin Yoosoung was speaking as if she could see my very soul.

«Can I help you?»

A golden light shimmered in Shin Yoosoung’s eyes.

[Incarnation ‘Shin Yoosoung’ is activating ‘multi-species communication’.]

«Tell me, ahjussi.»

Shin Yoosoung’s small hand rested on my chest. Her intentions were conveyed to me through a faint, glowing light.

«Say the word, and I will kill them all.»

Now I understood.

Shin Yusung could truly do it. Because, [this ‘Shin Yoosoung’ does not exist in this world line.]

The Shin Yoosoung now manifested in the 41st round was the Shin Yoosoung from <Kim Dokja Company> that I knew.

But why was ‘Shin Yoosoung’ trying to help me?

‘No.’

Shin Yoosoung’s body trembled.

«Why? Aren’t they important to you?»

‘I don’t want to see you die here.’

I remembered every line of this story. I knew better than anyone the nature of the <Star Stream> and the dire consequences of defying probability.

In the novel, Kim Dokja defied probability multiple times and endured the repercussions.

But the reason he survived after doing such impossible things was because he was the protagonist.

「 If Shin Yoosoung uses her power now, she will undoubtedly disappear. 」

‘Please take the pills from my pocket.’

Shin Yoosoung retrieved a golden pill from my pocket.

It was a medicine we had received as a reward after defeating the Yongdu Ark at Seoul Station.

«Should I feed this to you?»

Shin Yoosoung crushed the pills with her small hands and placed them in my mouth.

Let the pharmacological effect of the hwandan take hold. My numb senses became slightly clearer.

My body had reached its absolute limit.

Even this couldn’t suddenly restore my condition.

But it might grant me a sliver of strength.

Shin Yoosoung asked, her voice trembling.

«Ahjussi. We’re not going to fight, are we? You can’t in this state. Your body is already broken.»

Then, a crashing sound echoed as the labyrinth sentinel fell in the center of the clearing.

The battle between the monsters was over, and the victor was decided.

The poisonous dragon, having torn into the sentinel’s body, roared triumphantly into the air.

[Level 5 special species, ‘Lesser Dragon Poisoner’ prepares to attack!]

And the group moved.

Ja Yerin, squeezing out the last of her magical power, slashed at the Poisoner’s ankles with [White Blue Steel].

Lee Dansu activated [Taming], summoning cockroaches to swarm and disrupt the special attack’s vision once more.

Killer King aimed his bowgun at the Lesser Dragon as it lost its balance and stumbled.

«Finish it.»

An arrow wrapped in the Red Wreath and the Valkyries’ extraordinary abilities. At its tip was the 503rd unit that Jophiel took such pride in.

The arrow shot forth, leaving a solid red trail in its wake.

As if anticipating the attack, the poisonous dragon twisted its head at a bizarre angle.

Killer King had expected even that.

«Scatter.»

The arrowhead detonated right before the dragon’s head, and the 503rd unit dispersed.

Unit 503, fired like a grenade, burrowed into the dragon’s existing wounds with fire-attribute energy.

Push shoo shoo shoot!

Fountains of green blood erupted from all over the dragon’s body. The poisonous dragon shrieked in agony.

Yet, even after such an attack, it refused to fall.

«…Was it not enough?»

I realized then how incredible Kim Dokja was for capturing the lesser dragon alone. He had hunted a disaster that our entire group together could not bring down.

«Everyone, fall back!»

As the dragon’s breath poured out, Killer King also vomited blood. Undigested red wreaths spilled onto the floor.

[The 5th level poisonous dragon, ‘Lesser Dragon Poisoner’ activates ‘Death’s Blood’!]

«Find the weak spot! Now!»

Flowers began blooming across the floor.

A flicker of despair passed through Killer King’s eyes.

Even if they survived this assault, the party had no chance of winning now.

Neither Dansu ahjussi’s attributes, Ja Yerin’s [Battle Action Mode], nor Killer King’s stigmata were enough to kill that disaster.

However.

「 «Hakhyun.» 」

I might be able to do it.

「 «No matter what, this time tell me a happy story.» 」

Kim Dokja had said that.

A story that makes me happy.

What story did I want to tell?

「 «Well done, Heewon.» 」

Was it a story for the ‘extras’ who were overlooked in the main narrative?

「 «Someone died. Someone died because of this story.» 」

Or a story where as many people as possible survive?

「 «I will prevent the destruction of this world.» 」

Or perhaps, a story that saves the 41st turn from ruin?

「 «Are you really Cheon Inho?» 」

I didn’t know.

Why, and for whom, was I continuing to tell this story?

「 «Why did you decide to write a novel?» 」

Someone’s voice suddenly surfaced in my mind.

It wasn’t my memory.

A memory that felt older than me, flowing from an ancient source.

In that memory, Han Sooyoung was speaking.

「 «I don’t know. I’ll know when I’m done.» 」

I slowly unclenched my fist.

Shin Yoosoung realized my intention and grabbed my wrist.

«Ahjussi, stop. Right now…»

With a *tsk tsk tsk* sound, the golden light in Shin Yoosoung’s eyes extinguished.

The <Star Stream> had finally intervened. It was inevitable.

It was already unusual for a powerful being like Shin Yoosoung to intervene in the early scenario through ‘possession’.

I muttered to the unconscious Shin Yoosoung.

‘Thank you.’

She had done more than enough.

From now on, it was my turn.

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

‘Wake up, Cheon Inho.’

Although I was currently in a soul state using [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint], I could still employ some skills.

Tsutsutsu.

My body stretched out—Cheon Inho’s fingers twitched.

‘Wake up. Right now.’

[Incite is a skill that manipulates the target’s unconsciousness.]

If that was true, then I might be able to move my body even without my consciousness.

[The power of the ‘star jewel’ erodes your body.]

[‘Monsterization’ occurs.]

[‘Stage 6 of Madness’ is encroaching on you.]

Because my soul was outside my body, I could operate it without being affected by the [Madness].

Cheon Inho’s body staggered upright. However, it didn’t step forward immediately, as if resisting my will.

The pure power of [Incite] alone was insufficient. So I decided to do what I always do.

[The sub-skill, ‘Sentence Enhancement’ is activated!]

[You can input your actions.]

[The actions you input will be reinforced.]

[The current enhancement level is level 1.]

[You can increase the reinforcement level by investing stock probability.]

[Current probability: 480.]

Writing sentences.

「 Cheon Inho stood up from the floor. 」

[10 probability is consumed.]

「 The power of ‘six star jewels’ radiated from Cheon Inho’s entire body. 」

[10 probability is consumed.]

「 Cheon Inho began to stagger forward. 」

With every sentence I added, my head felt like it was splitting apart.

I didn’t know how long the [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint] state would last. I had to finish this before my body woke fully and before I regained complete consciousness.

「 As Cheon Inho ran toward the poisonous dragon, his body began to come apart. Signs of monsterization appeared and muscles tore and exploded all over. 」

I heard people shouting when they spotted me.

I ignored them and kept moving.

「 Cheon Inho was risking everything. 」

What happens to a soul that loses its body to return to?

Perhaps I, too, would go to that theater like the other readers.

Or maybe I would simply cease to exist.

I was frightened, but not as much as I used to be. Perhaps because I had glimpsed ‘death’ through Lee Dansu.

I could see the group securing a foothold in the distance.

A man in a white coat was shouting at me.

Ahjussi was not Kim Dokja.

Killer King wasn’t either. Ja Yerin was also not Kim Dokja.

But if they all worked together, they could achieve what Kim Dokja could do.

They could accomplish things I never could.

「 They would see the end of this world. 」

My body, breaking through the dragon’s rushing breath head-on, threw a punch.

The immense power of the 6 star jewels drove into the poisonous dragon’s chest.

「 Cheon Inho thought. 」

I knew it instinctively. I only had one sentence left to write. The probability could not bear any more.

And the words to use were already decided.

「 It’s over. 」

A probability paid for with one’s life.

If this was the story, the <Star Stream> would be satisfied.

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ sighs.]

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ cries out!]

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ cannot take his eyes off you!]

[The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ turns his gaze away.]

[Many constellations are truly astonished by your choice.]

If I returned to the snowy field, would I be able to tell Kim Dokja?

「 It’s over. 」

This was him, in my story.

「 The end. 」

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The surrounding scenery drained of color. And.

「 The end. 」

I closed my eyes.

「 It’s not the end. 」

Something strange was happening.

Someone, right before my eyes.

「 It’s not the end. 」

…was editing my sentences.

I looked at that sentence and repeated it, dumbfounded.

It’s not the end.

[Someone has edited your sentence.]

[Someone is sharing your probability.]

Only then did I understand what was occurring.

「 «But, author. I know this is a meta novel.» 」

A memory surfaced through the throbbing pain in my head.

「 «Do readers truly want to become Kim Dokja? Isn’t that just the writer’s greed as a ‘writer’?» 」

In that memory, she was reviewing a manuscript I had written.

「 «So, here is my opinion as a reader.» 」

Perhaps someone who understood this story better than I did.

「 «Kim Dokja must be revived, after all.» 」

My editor.

「 «The Kim Dokja we know.» 」

[‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ has been unlocked.]

With agonizing pain, my soul was violently sucked back into Cheon Inho’s body.

My heart hammered wildly, and my mind, battered by the effects of [madness], swayed unsteadily like a small boat on stormy waves.

[The constellation ‘Lotus Flower Blooming Under the Moonlight’ looks to you.]

As I took deep breaths, the terrible pain gradually subsided. Someone was easing my suffering.

Who was it? I couldn’t see their face.

«Author.»

Yet, someone was holding me, speaking. I heard that voice as my consciousness began to fade.

«Write it again.»

Yes, I will. I answered.

I will write it again.