Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 683

Chapter 683

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

683 Episode 22 Name (5)
My initial instinct was to argue back.

After being thrown into this world without warning, I had done my best to get by.

I had risked everything to stay alive, often brushing shoulders with death.

Even if I couldn’t measure up to Kim Dokja, I felt I had still accomplished something.

—Are you familiar with the concept of a circulatory delay?

I pondered that.

—Why is your application of [Incite] so inefficient?

And then, Kim Dokja, the Demon King of Salvation, began his relentless critique.

—You possess a useful item like ‘Thoughts’, so why is your utilization so poor? What do you do in your downtime? Have you not recorded the mimicry forms of other items?

—Are you aware of how to employ other stories besides [Persistent Murim Master]?

—That isn’t the extent of your acquired skills. Why are you not using them? Can you not practice skill linking?

—How have you learned no other combat skills apart from [White Blue Steel]? It is illogical that you lack [Weapon Polishing] at this stage.

It was enough to drive me insane.

Who was it that called him a living encyclopedia?

—I am growing furious just from this conversation. I understand now why I was ignoring you.

«Please, there’s no need for such anger.»

—Then why summon me now? Do you expect me to clean up the disaster you’ve created?

Each word was a lash. The pain came from the fact that every accusation was justified.

What had I been thinking when Yoo Jonghyuk collapsed in this 41st round and even Han Sooyoung, my trusted ally, vanished?

«I was being reckless.»

A sponsorship contract was the final option available to me.

Grasping at straws in a final, desperate attempt to salvage this world, I called out one name repeatedly.

I will offer anything you want in return, just please save this world.

That was my plea.

«Help me. You are capable of this.»

He is Kim Dokja.

The protagonist of this entire story.

«I don’t want to see this world destroyed any further.»

Even if I fail, he could succeed. He might be able to rewrite the narrative I had so badly damaged.

«I want to save the people.»

There were still many survivors in Gwanghwamun.

The people from this world I had managed to rescue, readers like Dansu ahjussi and Kyung Sein.

Bang Cheolsoo and the mother and daughter at Geumho Station.

Sergeant Kim Hyunyeol and Jung Eunho at Seoul Station.

Jung Heewon and the other companions who were likely executing a scenario elsewhere.

And.

«Everyone, including those who have died.»

Even the readers I couldn’t protect.

«You can do it.»

If anyone could, it was Kim Dokja, the ultimate observer of this world.

As he had demonstrated in his own life, he might possess the power to alter the sentences already inscribed upon the ‘Final Wall’.

—Why not simply request a regression?

—I would never permit it. I cannot allow it.

«That is not my desire. What I wish to protect is *this* world.»

This ’41st round’ is a unique occurrence.

If I were to regress, I would be the only one to vanish from this world.

A brand new 42nd round would simply begin.

«I want this world to continue.»

—It is a ruined world.

I know. However.

«It is not written.»

—What?

«Nowhere in the novels you and I have read does it state that this world line is destroyed.»

Of course, that did not mean it was completely unrecorded.

Only once, in the 41st round, is it mentioned. By Shin Yoosoung herself from the 41st round.

«Shin Sooyoung’s account is merely a ‘statement’. The true events of the ’41st round’ are not documented anywhere within ‘Ways of Survival’. Is that not correct?»

—You… Now that is an intriguing point.
«You sound amused now.»

It is interesting. His tone was harsh, but I welcomed any sign of engagement. It mattered little if this world was merely someone’s interest or entertainment. I was ready to do anything if it meant salvation.

—But to accomplish what you propose, you must actively participate in this world. You must reach the conclusion. You understand the implications, yes?

The end of the world. The location of the ‘Last Wall’ where all truths of the universe are recorded.

To arrive there, I must complete every main scenario.

«I do.»

—Are you capable of that?

I shook my head.

What could someone who was unconscious for 45 days after clearing only four scenarios possibly achieve? But.

«I cannot do it alone.»

My sponsor is the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

The master of the [Fourth Wall] and the most formidable deity in the universe.

«Please accompany me to the end of the scenarios one more time.»

I had faith in Kim Dokja.

I believed that Kim Dokja, who loves stories more than anyone, would also be curious about the conclusion of this world.

So I forfeited my chance to become a Constellation and entered a contract with him.

—That is far easier said than done. You are causing me significant trouble.

«Is it a matter of probability?»

Probability was undoubtedly a critical factor. Regardless of Kim Dokja’s strength, the <Star Stream>’s probability system was an immutable force.

—No, I need to read Ways of Survival.

«What in the world…»

I was so astonished I nearly retorted but stopped myself.

Why was he so obsessed with reading that damned Ways of Survival? Was it an inherent trait of the ‘Demon King of Salvation’?

I did not know.

But his intense fixation suggested a compelling reason.

I made a mental note of it.

«To be frank, this world is also a part of ‘Ways of Survival’.»

—Not exactly.

«Will you simply stand by and watch the world of Ways of Survival be ruined? You have already signed a contract with me.»

—Hmm.

«Please, help me. I will do anything you ask if you assist me.»

I had spoken out of desperation, but a wave of embarrassment followed my outburst.

My opponent was the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

A being who had already witnessed the end, a great existence whose name was counted among the ‘mythical grade constellations’.

There was little chance I could persuade such an entity with a promise of «anything.»

Perhaps I should offer incentives related to ‘Ways of Survival’ instead?

I was deep in thought.

—You will do anything?

Kim Dokja’s reaction was unexpectedly receptive.

I asked urgently.

«Will you help me?»

Kim Dokja fell silent for a moment, seemingly pondering something.

Or had he gone off to read Ways of Survival again?

«Hey, Inho-ssi.»

Just then, someone called my name.

I turned to see a man a full head taller than me. It was a familiar face.

«Oh, hello.»

«Yes. Are you feeling alright?»

Lee Hyunsung, wiping sweat from his brow, offered his characteristically gentle smile.

His physique seemed to have grown even more in 45 days. How was that possible for someone long past their growth phase?

«Yes, thank you.»

Had he come out of concern for me?

I wasn’t sure. While Lee Hyunsung was amiable, was I significant enough to him as a member of the group to warrant a check-in?

At that moment, my sponsor, who had been quiet, returned.

—Oh? This is Lee Hyunsung.

Though he said little, his tone alone conveyed his thoughts clearly.

—Hmm, interesting.

Kim Dokja was currently appraising Lee Hyunsung.

—To reach that level by the seventh scenario, what must Lee Hyunsung have endured… Does the Yoo Jonghyuk of this world also possess the story of [Crazy Soldier Yoo Jonghyuk]?

I ignored the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ and addressed Lee Hyunsung.

«Is something the matter?»

Lee Hyunsung hesitated before slowly nodding.

«The captain is asking for you.»

Yoo Jonghyuk? Wants to see me?

Lee Hyunsung, reading my expression, quickly added.

It’s probably nothing serious, he’ll likely tell me not to worry.

«I… think it would be wise to be cautious.»

What?

«The captain appeared to be quite angry.»

«Angry? At me?»

«I cannot say for certain, but if this continues, he will undoubtedly kill you… You have been talking to yourself strangely.»

My mind suddenly went blank.

I mentally retraced my actions from 45 days ago.

I couldn’t recall committing any major offense against Yoo Jonghyuk.

Though we had clashed several times during scenarios…

I did prevent Yoo Jonghyuk from claiming the ‘absolute throne’…

There was also that instance where I used an unconscious Yoo Jonghyuk as a shield against an attack from Asmodeus…

«Can I not go?»

Lee Hyunsung gave a weak, strained smile.

«He said to ‘bring him without fail’…»

Damn it.

—Excellent.

A voice remarked calmly, as if it were no concern of his.

I frowned at the sky and mouthed my words silently.

‘What is so excellent about this?’

—The main character is summoning you himself.

‘He says he’ll kill me when I get there.’

—You must still hold some value in this world, at least until you die.

Was this what Kim Dokja meant when he said I would fall apart soon?

If I could read ‘Ways of Survival’ like Kim Dokja, I might find a clue on how to survive this.

[You can no longer use ‘Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World’.]

But I no longer possessed ‘Ways of Survival’.

—Why would you need Ways of Survival?

«Ah.»

For a moment, I had forgotten who my sponsor was.

Right.

I realized I no longer needed Ways of Survival.

—Now, let us go and see what Joonghyuk’s head looks like from behind in the 41st round.

Because now, my constellation knew Yoo Jonghyuk better than anyone else in this world.

Inside Gwanghwamun. Within a temporary shelter fashioned from a remodeled section of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Yoo Jonghyuk sat shirtless and cross-legged.

Across his exposed back, defined by sculpted muscle, were several engravings that resembled tattoos.

「 Redemption of truth 」

「 Restraint of Emotions 」

「 Redemption of Life 」

These were the imprints of stories sequentially carved onto his body since entering this round.

The more stories his body accumulated, the greater his power grew.

Inscribing three stories onto a physique that had not yet passed the tenth scenario was akin to suicide, yet he did not hesitate.

Shoooooo.

Pure white steam soon began to rise from Yoo Jonghyuk’s upper body. It was the process of reconciling imbalances within his body, expelling impurities, and ascending to a higher state.

The path to Transcendence.

It was a leap he would not normally attempt this early, but on this occasion, Yoo Jonghyuk felt a pressing urgency.

[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is looking at you.]

[The constellation ‘Lilies in Aquarius’ covers the eyes of the ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’.]

[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ cleans his ears with his headband.]

[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ remarks that if he’s going to undress, he should commit fully.]

His focus frayed under the chatter of the constellations. He had tried to endure it multiple times but had now reached his limit.

«Be silent.»

The meticulously refined magical power dissipated instantly, and Yoo Jonghyuk released a deep, frustrated breath.

He frowned as he gathered his clothes and coat from the floor.

His belongings were in disarray, much like the current round itself.

Because.

Even upon reflection, this round was peculiar. The constellations above, the incarnations following him, and.

‘Cheon Inho.’

That peculiar individual and the name they incessantly muttered.

‘Kim Dokja.’

He did not understand why, but the incarnations of this world constantly invoked that name.

This was especially true for those who had not been active in previous rounds.

For instance, that foolish incarnation of Jophiel who persistently mimicked his manner of speech.

—What is your typical diet?

—At what time do you usually sleep and wake?

—Do you practice intermittent fasting or a similar regimen?

If Lee Hyunsung hadn’t intervened, he would have crushed the skull of that nuisance who asked such inane questions repeatedly.

—But truly, does the name ‘Kim Dokja’ not trigger any recollection?

A throbbing pain surged at his temple, and memories from 45 days ago flashed vividly in his mind.

Before the ‘absolute throne’, he had battled an incarnation.

A woman named Han Sooyoung.

She knew he was a regressor. A being stronger than any other incarnation encountered in this round.

When he regained consciousness after their fight, Yoo Jonghyuk found that she had vanished from this world.

All that remained were the memories she had forcibly implanted in his mind.

「 «Just let go already and get lost, you damn bastard.» 」

「 «I am Yoo Jonghyuk’s colleague who returned from death.» 」

A face that was difficult to recall, indistinct like overworked dough.

「 «Hello, Joonghyuk. How are you? You’re looking well.» 」

Through repeatedly revisiting that memory, Yoo Jonghyuk realized these were not his own memories, but those from another world line.

Normally, the mere existence of another world would not have unsettled him so deeply.

If only he had not heard those specific words within the memory.

「 «Yoo Joonghyuk. Come to your senses. Do not labor under the misconception that more repetitions will yield a better outcome.» 」

A voice that echoed powerfully, as if severing the core of his entire existence.

「 «Even if you save the world, you will not find salvation. The moment you save one world, all the worlds you abandoned will descend upon you. Saving one world means all the others you discarded will drag you to hell.» 」

「 «Do not deceive yourself into believing that discarding this round will improve the next. Perhaps the round you seek to abandon is the only one where you can witness the end of this world as a ‘human’.» 」

Throughout his existence in the 41st round, no one had ever spoken to him in such a manner.

And fortunately, the Yoo Jonghyuk in those memories had heard words he himself never had.

And in only the 3rd round.

In a state of innocence, untainted by the world’s tragedies.

He did not know what became of that world line’s Yoo Joonghyuk afterward.

But one thing was certain: that Yoo Joonghyuk must have undergone a change. And with fortune, he might have seen the end of the world while remaining truly human.

The bitter smile that now touched his lips was likely self-mockery for the years he had endured. A ridicule of the time he had persisted through tragedy more desperately than any other.

「 «In return for enduring for so long, he ceased to be ‘human’.» 」

He was Yoo Jonghyuk of the 41st round.

The only round where a human could potentially see the world’s end.

Now, all that remained in his life was tragedy.

The eternal punishment bestowed upon him for choosing to [Regress].

The worlds he abandoned would perpetually haunt him like a curse.

Even if he cleared every scenario, salvation would never be granted to him.

The moment he thought this.

«Yay!»

As if to chastise his thoughts, someone struck the back of his head.