Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 674

Chapter 674

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter.

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674 Episode 21 Kim Dokja (10)

«It is me.»

A realization dawned on me abruptly.

This world is a colossal disaster.

It becomes a different story and a separate reality depending on who is telling it. And I,

«I cannot accept that sword.»

The reality I held to be true was not the same as the one Representative Kim Dokja believed in.

My response caused Representative Kim Dokja’s brow to furrow deeply.

【That is peculiar.】

His expression hovered between confusion and anticipation.

【Have you not always desired a story of your own?】

In a sense, he was correct.

I am someone who craves my own narrative, both as a writer and as a reader.

Yet, at this moment, I needed to quiet the storm of memories raging inside me.

«Why is Representative Kim Dokja attempting to force this role upon me now?»

I studied his entire form with a steady gaze. The sheer presence radiating from him was immense. If he wished, he could shatter the ‘Absolute Throne’ himself.

But he refrained.

Or more accurately, he is incapable of it.

This is likely due to the backlash of probability, an affliction he shares with other constellations.

Even a being of his formidable status cannot intervene in the scenario to destroy the ‘Absolute Throne’ without consequence.

He cannot break it.

So, he offers his power to me instead.

His desired compensation was obvious.

「 A story. 」

A narrative completed by destroying the absolute throne. He is trying to claim his portion of that story.

Now that I consider it, there was a similar entity in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.

A being who aided Kim Dokja and, in return for lending his strength, received a share of the grand story ‘Spring of the Demon World’.

【Hmm.】

The demonic energy swirling around him turned hostile for an instant.

I instinctively grabbed Yoo Jonghyuk, who had collapsed on the floor, and pulled him in front of me.

*Goo goo goo goo.*

The moment I used his body as a shield, a violent wave of demonic energy shook the entire theater. Struck by the energy meant for me, Yoo Jonghyuk’s body shuddered like a leaf. His eyes flew open wide, he shot me a look of pure astonishment, and then he lost consciousness.

Representative Kim Dokja observed us intently before letting out a laugh.

【No matter how you look at it, that is something only Kim Dokja would do.】

«My apologies.»

There was no further need for politeness. I understood completely that his intentions were not pure.

I was now prepared to tell my own story.

«I am not Kim Dokja.»

I looked at each of the kkomas Kim Dokja and stated,

«My name is Lee Hakhyun.»

The kkomas Kim Dokja looked back at me, some tilting their heads in understanding, others showing no reaction whatsoever.

Representative Kim Dokja spoke.

【That is not the answer we sought.】

«I suppose it isn’t the answer you wanted.»

A flicker of interest crossed Representative Kim Dokja’s face as the corner of his mouth twitched.

I seized the moment and continued.

«Truth or falsehood, revenge or liberation? The words sound convincing. However.»

I, too, knew the story of the 49% Kim Dokja.

Among the memories I witnessed, there were some Representative Kim Dokja had not revealed.

But even if those memories were suddenly my past life, they do not feel real.

That is the truth.

Just as Kim Dokja cannot become Yoo Jonghyuk simply by reading ‘Ways of Survival’,

To me, the story of the 49% Kim Dokja feels distant, like a tale from behind an impenetrable wall.

And even if my past life truly was that of Kim Dokja—

«Why are you angry on Kim Dokja’s behalf?»

The entity that should represent his will is not the one standing before me.

«Whether he holds a grudge against <Kim Dokja’s Company>, or seeks vengeance, that is for Kim Dokja himself to decide. Certainly not for you.

Moreover, you do not truly sympathize with Kim Dokja. You merely wish to steal his narrative. Just as you did in the last world, in this world you simply—»

A wave of demonic energy, seeping from him, crawled up my leg like an insect.

But I did not stop speaking.

«You simply want to remain as the main story of this world.»

It was as if a switch had been flipped; the smile on his lips became distinct. It was a different kind of smile from before.

【And yet, I had such expectations for you…】

My body locked up, refusing to move.

I couldn’t tell if it was due to the man’s overwhelming murderous intent or because of my own stubbornness.

【Let us resume the screening.】

The kkomas Kim Dokja, who had been watching me, suddenly turned their attention to the screen behind me.

As I forced my stiff neck to turn and follow their gaze, I saw my own image reflected there.

On the screen, I was speaking.

「 «I will accept the Death Sword.» 」

With a quiet sigh, my on-screen self took hold of the Death Sword being offered. When I looked forward again, I found the ‘Death Sword’ was now actually in my hand, held out by Representative Kim Dokja.

My body was moving against my will.

[The ‘Beginning Theater’ resumes its screening.]

Only then did I understand the rule of this ‘theater’.

Representative Kim Dokja’s ability is to edit and manipulate the images on the screen. And the power of this theater was to force the story to unfold.

However, this level of coercion clearly defies probability—

[You have received 300,000 coins in return.]

[Your body obeys the commands of the narration.]

Damn it. So that’s how it works.

【The scenario is already complete. Please accept your role obediently.】

My joints groaned like those of a broken marionette.

I glanced down at the unconscious Yoo Jonghyuk.

The sword in my right hand seemed to cry out. The story from another world embedded within it was issuing an order.

「 Cut it. 」

I gripped the sword with both hands.

「 The air. 」

A faint, string-like connection of constellations was visible above Yoo Jonghyuk’s head.

That thread must be the link to the ‘Absolute Throne’.

【It is for the future of this world.】

My hands shook violently. My own strength, refusing to cut, clashed with the power of the story compelling me to do so.

If I yield now, many people in this world might be saved.

Not everyone will survive until the final scenario, but at least we would not be living in a world with a confirmed ‘end’.

But if that happens, what becomes of the characters in other universes?

<Kim Dokja’s Company> undertook a long pilgrimage, their eyes fixed only on Kim Dokja.

What awaits them at the end?

Is this truly the story everyone desires?

Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, feeling as if they were being wrung out. Blood vessels burst in my eyes, and a pain like a vice grip squeezed my abdomen. The magic power in my veins boiled, threatening to overflow.

「 Cut it. 」

I watched myself move in real time on the screen.

Every story shown in this theater is fabricated according to Representative Kim Dokja’s whims.

However, he does not possess the power to make that story reality.

Summoning the last of my strength, I looked back at my audience.

The readers were there.

They all shared the same face but wore different name tags.

Among them would be Jung Jaewoo, whom I failed to protect.

There would be Jiwoon, Lee Dansu’s daughter, and there would also be the reader who possessed Jung Heewon’s father, Jung Moonho.

They were innocent people.

People who became an audience simply for having read this story.

In return for merely knowing Kim Dokja’s story, they are now deprived of the freedom to choose what they see.

「 There might be only one way to resolve this. 」

I slowly opened my mouth, my lips twisting with effort.

«Truly.»

I didn’t know if my story would be heard. Still, I did not stop speaking.

«Is this the story you wish to see?»

Just like Kim Dokja did long ago when he persuaded the constellations.

«No.»

In the theater’s deep darkness, the readers continued to watch ‘Kim Dokja’ on the screen, not me.

They were watching ‘Kim Dokja’.

But I felt they heard my voice.

【Wait. You—】

Sensing a shift, Representative Kim Dokja reached out to seize my hand.

But he was already too late.

«As you all know, this world is a novel.»

In that moment, I was grateful this was a theater. Grateful that readers had gathered here.

Grateful that I was Cheon Inho.

«A novel that you all know, and I know as well.»

This is a complete fiction that everyone believes to be true.

And if this is fiction,

[The skill ‘Incite Lv.10’ is activated!]

I possessed the confidence to tell that fiction better than anyone else.

«From now on, I will tell you the story you desire.»

Closing my eyes, memories surfaced.

Memories I had ignored.

「 Cheon Inho. 」

Stories from beyond the wall that felt distant, like tales from a book.

「 How long has it been? 」

「 A very long time. 」

I gathered the stories, sentence by sentence.

「 I will keep watching. 」

It felt like warm snow was accumulating with every sentence that touched me. The snow soon covered the ground, forming a vast snowy field.

I now know who the Kim Dokja of the Snowfield was.

「 But still, shouldn’t this story have a different beginning? 」

The person who read my story. The person who, more than anyone else, waited for this story to begin.

«Well, it shouldn’t be like this.»

Preparing a candy to give to Han Sooyoung.

「 I am Yoo Jonghyuk. 」

Someone who already knew what I wished to say.

「 All the stories I know are stories you know as well. 」

「 … 」

「 The person before me now is not the real you, is it? 」

Those memories were there all along.

「 Hakhyun-ah. 」

Kim Dokja from my dreams.

My vague, distant, longed-for origin.

Just as <Kim Dokja’s Company> gathered fragments to find the one Kim Dokja, I, too, had been collecting pieces of the past life I had forgotten.

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

If I gather all these memories, will I become myself?

[‘Incite’ exerts powerful power under special conditions.]

I do not know.

All I can do is lie.

A lie that will deceive me, deceive you, and ultimately, deceive the world.

「 If you believe that lie. 」

My breath caught, and an ancient sadness filled my heart.

Who am I?

Why did I come to this world?

I can answer that question now. My story was providing the answer.

«I am the 49% Kim Dokja.»

My entire body trembled, and sparks flew as if I had been electrocuted. The sparks flowed to the floor, then spread like flames across the screen, following the countless footprints left by the kkomas Kim Dokja.

The bright blue sparks flared white, coloring the entire screen until it was stained a pure white.

The screen looked like a dazzling snowfield.

One by one, the kkomas Kim Dokja regained their senses and began to look at me. Kim Dokja was reflected in those small eyes.

Kim Dokja was standing in the snowy field that day.

«So I,»

The 49% Kim Dokja was saying this.

«I want to decide my own story.»

A silence fell, as heavy and quiet as falling snow. In that silence, Representative Kim Dokja smiled and spoke.

【What on earth are you talking about? Do you believe anyone will accept such a claim now—】

[rlaehrwk37 supports your story.]

As if taking my first steps on a pristine snowfield, someone looked at me. A very small, yet definite light. That light was shining toward me.

[rlaehrwk41 supports your story.]

Representative Kim Dokja immediately looked back at the decision.

【What is this—】

Like film running backward through a projector, the scale of probability was shifting.

The theater’s oppressive restraint on me weakened.

If I moved my hands, the probability grew weaker.

[rlaehrwk213 supports your story.]

As I steadied my legs, the possibilities grew blurred.

[rlaehrwk99 supports your story.]

[rlaehrwk124 supports your story.]

[A temporary error has occurred in the ‘Beginning Theater’!]

I slowly turned to face Representative Kim Dokja. The kkomas Kim Dokja also looked at him, and I called him by his true name.

«Asmodeus.»

Sensing the danger, Asmodeus’s expression hardened and he snapped his fingers.

[You have broken the rules of the theater!]

[The props given to you have been recovered!]

The awakened Death Sword in my hand vanished.

But there was another Death Sword for me.

Though it was not the awakened version obtained after clearing the Star Labyrinth with the readers, it was nevertheless composed of the story from this worldline.

【No one is interested in your story. A crude narrative from you, who has lost both memory and power—】

In the main story, Kim Dokja borrowed the strength of the Bukdu God Army to transform the Sain Tram Point.

But there was no constellation here to aid me.

Perhaps no constellation would lend me their strength.

Except for one.

「 There is a constellation connected to me through ‘story’. 」

He was the constellation all other stars ignored.

The man who laid down his authority and descended to earth, intending to live through the entire scenario once more.

A star who wanted to change his own story more than anyone else.

[The story ‘A Persistent Martial Arts Expert’ begins its storytelling.]

The story he left behind is embedded in the blade of the ‘Sainchamsagum’.

At best, it was the probability of a constellation at the Great Person level. A power that could only reveal one of the seven constellations of the Death Sword.

But that power was sufficient. Because I now held the potential of the readers.

Perhaps I could only use this sword once.

I decided to use that single opportunity here.

When I looked back, I saw a screen containing our story.

I swung my sword straight at the screen.