Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 677

Chapter 677

Two figures stood within the absolute blackness. All around them drifted the mangled remains of severed tentacles.

They were Outer Gods, entities floating upon the Void Veil.

Yoo Jonghyuk wiped the dark blood from the Black Heavenly Demon Blade and spoke.

“You let one get away.”

His tone carried a note of disapproval, almost a reprimand.

The man opposite him scowled.

“It seems I did.”

Clad in tattered garments, the man stared down at the empty curtain beneath them, the fierce energy radiating from his body slowly subsiding.

The one that had escaped was now somewhere below that barrier.

“It’s difficult to pierce, even with my thrust.”

The Void Veil.

This barrier existed within the <Star Stream> to protect the scenario areas from external interference. Only an Outer God who had paid a massive cost in Probability to lower their status could descend past it.

The man looked at the curtain and clicked his tongue lightly.

“If I truly wished to destroy it, it wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Then the hunting dogs would come for you.”

“Do you think I fear hunting dogs?”

Yoo Jonghyuk offered no reply.

The man before him had every right to make such a claim. There were likely fewer than ten beings in the entire cosmos who could stand as his equals.

“Was dealing with these things the only reason you brought me here?”

“There are stronger gods out there. You understand the <Star Stream> too well.”

“I came expecting to find something worth breaking. If this is all, I’ll take my leave.”

Muttering this, the man closed his eyes, resting his head on his arms as if bored.

Yoo Jonghyuk observed him for a moment, then noticed faint sparks gathering around them.

*Tsu-tsu-tsutsu—*

Outside the Void Veil, the influence of Probability was reduced. Yet, these signs of a Probability aftermath indicated that the <Star Stream> recognized them as a significant threat.

‘It will be some time before I can descend to this worldline again.’ Yoo Jonghyuk’s gaze remained fixed on the void curtain.

Though he couldn’t see clearly through the opaque barrier, he knew two people he recognized were down there. From a distance, he could also sense the presence of another Outer God.

Quietly, he gripped the hilt of his sword and muttered, though it was unclear who the words were for.

“Don’t die.”

***

I can’t speak for other writers, but there’s one primary question I ask myself before starting a story.

Is this a solvable case, or an impossible one?

Most writers craft incidents that can somehow be resolved. Otherwise, sustaining a long-term narrative becomes difficult.

Yet, every writer eventually faces the moment they must tackle an ‘impossible event’.

【Oooooooooooo—】

For me, that moment was now.

A being whose mere distant presence made my insides clench with dread. Facing such a monster with a clear head was unthinkable.

“You can do this. The protagonist grows by fighting things like that.”

I gave a slow nod.

Han Sooyoung had undoubtedly confronted countless Outer Gods before. So, a creature like this—

“Let me be clear, I can’t be the protagonist.”

Han Sooyoung’s incarnation body was a wreck. Even a glance revealed bones meticulously twisted or shattered throughout her form.

“Instead, I’ll lend you my story. Now go fight, protagonist.”

I stared at her, bewildered.

The ‘Outer God’ currently descending from the sky was a high-tier entity I had never encountered.

And she wanted me to fight it alone?

It was ludicrous.

“It’s possible.”

[The story ‘Predictive Plagiarism’ has taken root in your incarnation.]

In the next instant, a flood of Lee Hakhyun’s thoughts filled my mind.

「 If the Outer God descended from beneath the veil, it means he sacrificed a considerable portion of his ‘status’. 」
「 There’s a chance it’s a clone, not the main body. 」
「 It may be the strongest foe I’ve ever faced, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. 」

The strength of Han Sooyoung’s story flowing into me was palpable.

I had forgotten. Outer Gods are powerful, but so is Han Sooyoung. Moreover, here outside the scenario’s bounds, her original story could exert power that transcended Probability.

*Goo goo goo goo—*

I channeled these thoughts through my entire body, testing the medium-sized story like a new limb.

‘Thoughts.’

The nature of the ‘thoughts’ shifted at my command.

[‘Blade of Faith’ is activated!]

I swung my sword at the ‘Founder of the Absolute Throne’, who was now purposefully closing in.

The strike was dozens of times faster and more precise than my normal capability. It felt as if a Sword Master had possessed me.

Is that why?

*Swa-garak—*

The cut was shallow, but undeniable. The tip of my blade had definitely connected.

【Oooooh—】

The creature released a deafening cry. The sound was nauseating. Every hair on my body stood on end, and a wave of goosebumps raced down my spine.

The cause was obvious.

「 The King’s Fable. 」

A story of a monarch who subjugates all life poured from its entire being. My legs trembled. A powerful compulsion to kneel seized my mind.

This was the power of the Founder of the Absolute Throne.

But I resisted. I held my ground.

‘I’m not sure why.’

Perhaps it was due to Han Sooyoung’s story. Maybe the entity was severely weakened from crossing the veil, or perhaps my prior experience hunting an Outer God played a part.

Whatever the reason, the crucial thing was to turn this situation into something ‘solvable’.

【How dare you】

As I refused to kneel, a brilliant blade materialized in the Founder’s hand. It was a massive, ominous relic shaped like a greatsword.

«Watch out! That’s Excalibur!»

Han Sooyoung’s warning came just as a storm of terrifying stories erupted before my eyes.

*Ooooh oh oh—*

The souls of those who had perished by that sword screamed in agony. Under normal circumstances, the blow would have made me join them.

But I was different now.

[The story ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ continues its narrative.]

The stories we had written were our shield.

「 «Kim Dokja! Incoming damage!» 」

I could see the trajectory of an attack that should have been invisible.

*Swa-gak!*

Dodging the story-storm narrowly, I followed through with a horizontal slash.

«Keep pressing! Don’t give him a moment to breathe.»

Sparks flew from its shin, and a roar thundered out. It was working.

«He’s an Outer God, but his attribute is undead! Switch the ‘Blade of Faith’ to a divine attribute!»

I obeyed without a second thought.

As my magic power, now imbued with a divine attribute, merged with the Butcher’s energy to form a sword storm, the Outer God retreated a step for the first time.

I can fight this.

My entire body’s magic power raged like it might explode; my muscles screamed in protest. The strain of channeling Han Sooyoung’s story, feeling my bones throb in reaction, was immense.

[Your incarnation’s body is in critical condition!]

I grabbed elixirs from my pocket and swallowed them desperately, trying to stave off internal injuries.

We exchanged blows.

Each clash of swords tore my grip and drew blood. For every mark I left on its body, a deep gash was carved into mine.

This was the price of facing an Outer God during only the fourth scenario.

Yet, I no longer believed victory was impossible.

【Oooooooo—】

Enraged, new bone joints sprouted from the Founder’s waist, forming two additional arms. Each hand gripped a sword radiating malignant energy.

Han Sooyoung shouted another warning.

«Arondight and Gallatin! You know what those are?»

I did. Arondight, in particular, was a famous sword from Yoo Jonghyuk’s 1,863rd round. They were all part of the King Arthur mythology.

«Don’t stop! Fight! Judging by their energy, they’re probably replicas!»

A flood of adrenaline and Han Sooyoung’s [Predictive Plagiarism] made me numb to the pain.

I predicted the creature’s moves.

I dodged Arondight’s slash, losing my left arm in the process, then used my momentum to strike its shin again as Gallatin swept toward my waist.

Han Sooyoung’s story made it all feel instinctive.

The furious entity began spewing harsh, explosive narratives. A crescent-shaped force field expanded to cover the entire area.

I pushed Han Sooyoung’s story to its absolute limit and unleashed it through my sword.

[The Fable ‘Omniscient Reader’ amplifies the story’s appeal.]

I severed its continuously regenerating arms, one after another.

【Oh oh oh?】

The mighty Outer God seemed perplexed. With every swing of my sword, Han Sooyoung’s stories ran wilder in my mind.

[The story ‘Predictive Plagiarism’ accelerates its storytelling.]

An unbelievably powerful, dynamic narrative. An incredible story built by a single individual.

I felt like a god.

This was the view from someone who had completed such a story.

It was overwhelmingly magnificent, so fleeting it felt meaningless, and so dizzying it made me want to vomit.

A future where sentences were written across the entire world.
A world where what happened next was determined by the arc of my sword.

I was living inside this intricate web of stories.

I wanted to see what came next.
What awaited at the end of this road?
What would I ultimately face at the conclusion of this story?

「 «The story was good.» 」

Intoxicated by that narrative, I swung my sword again and again.

「 «I came here simply because I liked the story.» 」

It no longer mattered which sentences were mine and which were Han Sooyoung’s. Even if I was merely transcribing her story.

It didn’t matter.

If she could help this worldline.
If we could fight together now, perhaps we could steer this terribly broken world back on course.
Maybe we could reach this world’s perfect ending.

The moment that thought crystallized—

*Tsu-tsutsu—*

My strength abruptly drained away, and I scrambled backward.

A sudden wave of nausea hit me. I retched, as if expelling something I’d consumed. Something within me was rejecting Han Sooyoung’s story.

A voice insisted that her story was not my own.

「 «Was there ever a time Kim Dokja was truly happy to receive the heart he deserved?» 」

Accompanied by dizziness, a pitch-black darkness poured incessantly from my mouth.

「 «What are you talking about? You’re Kim Dokja, too.» 」
「 «Have those words ever given you a moment’s peace?» 」

I tried to shake the memories away.

「 «Like someone who intercepts and reads a mistakenly delivered letter, it’s just a name.» 」
「 «Didn’t you enjoy many things simply because you possessed them?» 」

I heard the sound of a wall shaking somewhere deep inside.

「 «I suppose I filled the void out of fear, afraid to share it with a real believer.» 」

I clutched my head, shaking it violently.

Someone was speaking.
There was no need to force this fight.
No need to confront it.
You’ve struggled long enough.
Just accept a warm comfort.
Live again under a new name in a new world.

«Hey! Snap out of it!»

I saw Excalibur’s blade flying toward me.
I couldn’t avoid it. There was nowhere to run.
I’m trapped here.

I hit the ground, feeling a hard shove. A deafening explosion erupted right in front of me.
A powerful storm of stories swept through.

I saw the Founder being thrown backward by the violent recoil.

Taking a sharp breath, I looked up. Han Sooyoung was standing in front of me.

「 That was the price she paid to change this world. 」

When had the scenery changed?
Why were there fewer story fragments floating in the air now?

「 «The story is told from the Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.» 」

A massive hole was torn through Han Sooyoung’s chest.
Through it, sentences burning with white-hot intensity turned to ash and drifted away.

«Han Sooyoung!»

A field of gray snow formed where the ashes fell.

Han Sooyoung stood over me, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
«Are you okay?»

She held her left breast, laughing even as blood trickled from her ears.
«According to the ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ that I wrote, comrades don’t die so easily.»

Her entire body was trembling.

[The story ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ temporarily halts its storytelling.]

The excited heart that had vowed to write my story was gone, replaced by a cold, intense fear gripping my mind.

«I—»

I can’t be left alone again.

Han Sooyoung coughed violently several times before collapsing forward.

I rushed to catch her. Han Sooyoung looked up at me and said,
«You’re a writer, so you know. Telling the story you want to tell isn’t always a happy thing.»

The color was rapidly draining from her face. I frantically tried to staunch her wounds, catching the flowing blood with my hands.

Han Sooyoung’s gaze was fixed on the sky above.
I needed to find an elixir. Any elixir. Summoning corps, demon corps, anything.

「 In that moment, Han Sooyoung let go of her old home. 」

Only upon seeing the sentences flowing from her did I understand this was more than just trauma.

「 The final sentence she will write is one she has never written before. 」

Her original story was critically damaged.

«Wait, just wait!»

I shouted, refusing to accept it.
«This is an avatar, isn’t it?»

There was no way ‘Han Sooyoung’—of all people—could die like this.
She was the cleverest person in ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’.
Wasn’t she the writer who always found a way out, no matter the adversity?

But Han Sooyoung seemed unable to hear me, her eyes still searching the pitch-black sky.
As if looking for something there.

I followed her gaze upward. Someone was still fighting beyond the Void Veil.
The trail of a meteor shower and the screams of dying Outer Gods.

Questions I had failed to ask now surfaced.
How had Yoo Jonghyuk arrived beyond that curtain at just the right time?
And where had the Probability to summon him even come from?

*Tsu-tsu—*

The aftermath flowing through Han Sooyoung’s body was breaking her apart. Her form was disintegrating. Her legs, her torso, were crumbling under the strain.

Han Sooyoung had known from the start.
What she had to do to alter the established history.

「 The margins of this world are limited. 」
「 Some sentences can only be written by erasing others. 」

With every line of story I heard, Han Sooyoung vanished just like a erased sentence. The stories she had written were dissolving into the air. The characters, the events, the themes—all scattering.

I shook Han Sooyoung’s shoulder.

Her eyes, losing their light, turned toward me. They seemed to see me, yet also seemed to gaze into a distant eternity.
Like she was staring at a far-off, beautiful snowy field where no sentences had yet been written.

I prayed.

She asked me.
«Why did you want to become a writer?»

I stood there, foolishly pressing my lips together.
I thought I needed to find an answer.
I wanted to say something, anything, to hold onto Han Sooyoung.

But no words came. Even after writing so many sentences, not a single word surfaced.

Han Sooyoung’s hand brushed my cheek.
«I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the story you wanted.»

That was the last thing she said.

I opened my mouth.
«I, I—»

「 Han Sooyoung disappeared. 」

It has to be an avatar. Just an avatar disappearing.
There’s no way Han Sooyoung could die.
Han Sooyoung—

[The story ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ concludes its storytelling.]

One by one, the stories whispering in my ears fell silent. The endless chatter, the unstoppable conversation, reached its end.

[The story ‘Predictive Plagiarism’ concludes its storytelling.]

After the entire narrative concluded, I was alone once more.

Han Sooyoung’s ‘Unbreakable Faith’ clattered to the ground where she had been.

「 Why did you want to become a writer? 」

Only after every sentence was erased, only after I lost every story I had ever loved, did I finally find the answer.

«I want to know who I am.»

I heard the sound of walls collapsing deep inside me.