Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 691

Chapter 691

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

691 Episode 24 Expert (1)
Following the conclusion of the hunt for the Earth Dragon species, the survivors from Gwanghwamun began their recovery operations.

A significant number of people had been wounded or killed during the scenario. Had this been one of the initial scenarios, widespread panic would have been expected, but the people were surprisingly composed. It was as though they had already grown accustomed to tragedies of this nature.

«All injured personnel, over here!»

«We’re running low on the standard Elain Forest supplies, so direct the critically wounded to this area!»

«We will commence the dismantling of the 5th grade dragon species now. Anyone with energy to spare, please assist!»

Guided by the gangster king Bang Cheolsoo, people moved in an orderly fashion to their assigned duties.

This discipline did not seem to stem from Bang Cheolsoo’s leadership alone. Many of the remaining survivors were not originally part of the Geumho Station faction.

The incarnations were being guided by the lingering influence of someone who was absent.

[The fragment of the story ‘Crazy Soldier Yoo Jonghyuk’ nods in agreement.]

This was the environment Yoo Jonghyuk had forged over the preceding 45 days.

A regressor who prized efficiency above all.

A man who believed survival was preferable to death, and that action was more valuable than grief.

A sudden curiosity struck me.

What kind of ending was Yoo Jonghyuk striving for in this 41st round?

I realized I had never once asked him.

What was the final sight he wished to see at the conclusion of this ruined world?

«Hyung! Are you alright?»

At that moment, Bang Cheolsoo approached and addressed me.

«I’m fine. What about you?»

«Nothing to worry about.»

Despite his answer, Bang Cheolsoo’s injuries were severe. A deep gash ran from his neck down to his chest, and his thighs and arms were tightly wrapped in bandages.

Yet, his eyes shone with a courage that was completely genuine.

—Excellent. He acquired both [Accelerated Recovery] and [Burning Battle] as early as the seventh scenario.

Meanwhile, Kim Dokja appeared to have assessed Bang Cheolsoo’s status using the [Character List].

—He could serve as a capable shield when Lee Hyunsung is unavailable. I should probably revise the power balance chart for this round.

‘When did you even create something like that?’

«Is it truly acceptable to distribute the parts from the 5th grade dragon species to our group?»

«Proceed as planned.»

«Thank you, hyung! I’m deeply grateful!»

I had willingly relinquished the 5th grade dragon species to the Geumho Station group.

I could have claimed it, but it did not feel like the right thing to do.

—You are aware that a 5th grade monster species obtained this early commands a high price, correct?

‘I am. But these people stayed to protect me. Besides, we still have portions of the 4th grade Earth Dragon remaining.’

—Naturally, the 4th grade parts are far more valuable.

‘I might require their assistance again later, so I must think long-term. Bang Cheolsoo, Dayoung, and her mother possess high potential. Outfitting them with gear from a 5th grade dragon will significantly boost their strength.’

—Bang Cheolsoo… I hadn’t anticipated an episode utilizing that particular tech tree, but… yes, it’s a reasonable choice for the present.

Fortunately, Kim Dokja seemed to concur with my decision.

‘Should we trade the 4th grade Earth Dragon parts via the dokkaebi bag?’

—Allow me to handle that.

With those words, a message materialized in the air.

[Your constellation is requesting a private negotiation with the dokkaebi ‘Bihyung’.]

[Dokkaebi ‘Bihyung’ agrees to the terms.]

It seemed Kim Dokja had initiated talks with the dokkaebi to broker the sale of the Earth Dragon parts.

If nothing else, I trusted my constellation implicitly in matters of transaction. Kim Dokja was the one who had secured a 10-0 contract from Bihyung.

Kim Dokja returned much sooner than anticipated.

—The discussion is complete. It so happened that a party in the U.S. was seeking parts from a 4th grade Earth Dragon species. We negotiated an exclusive deal through Bihyung.

America.

Several faces immediately came to mind.

—Correct. It’s precisely who you’re thinking of. Given the subject’s documented evolution history, the parts will sell for a premium. You should easily secure over 300,000 coins.

300,000 coins.

This was a sum that would provide substantial support in the scenarios to come.

It struck me then how fortunate I was to have Kim Dokja as my sponsor.

‘How should we proceed? Do I dismantle it myself and list it on the exchange?’

—No, they stated they would arrive today to conduct the appraisal and dismantling in person. Just ensure the area is secured for their arrival.

They’re coming here? To collect it themselves?

—The item is exceedingly valuable. Have you reviewed the scenario rewards?

«Ah, yes.»

Jung Heewon and I, as the primary contributors to this scenario, had received a special reward: the ‘Lesser Dragon Heart’.

—That is a valuable acquisition. Its qigong properties were entirely without foundation.

‘But my [Circulatory Delay] is also a decent trait…’

—It’s acceptable. However, even if you achieve a great awakening with it, the result would merely be on par with the techniques of the Beggar Sect.

‘He was also a mighty constellation.’

—Then why did you not form a contract with that particular constellation?

‘Should I utilize the Dragon Heart immediately?’

—You could, but I would advise against it. Even a low-grade dragon heart is a rare find. It would be wiser to absorb it with guidance from a specialist.

The help of an expert…

A ‘Dragon Heart’ was precisely that—the heart of a dragon. It could be considered a type of spiritual entity.

For matters concerning the absorption of spiritual entities, those from the ‘Murim’ field were undoubtedly the most knowledgeable.

‘Shall we request assistance from the Ark?’

—He is preoccupied at the moment. Thanks to you, he has suffered significant financial losses and is likely busy repaying his debts.

I realized I hadn’t seen him in the channel recently.

‘Then we must journey to Murim…’

—The ‘Murim’ world is a scenario area that opens around the 20th scenario. Waiting until then is inefficient; we must address this now.

‘Here? Are there any elixir experts presently in Korea?’

—There is an individual we can meet soon who is not based in Korea…

Kim Dokja’s words cut off abruptly, as if he were distracted by another conversation.

I instructed Bang Cheolsoo to secure the 4th grade Earth Dragon parts and moved to the medical ward to check on Jung Heewon’s condition.

Fortunately, her injuries could be treated with the ‘Elain Forest Spirit’.

[The character ‘Jung Heewon’ is relying on you.]

[The target’s ‘madness’ is currently subdued.]

Ultimately, Jung Heewon had become the ‘Mad Butcher’.

Even Sergeant Jung Moonho’s sacrifice had not altered this outcome.

However, in this round, Jung Heewon was not the Mad Butcher I remembered from the stories.

There was a distinct difference from the setting in ‘TWSA’.

Originally, the ‘Mad Butcher’ was a figure consumed by the loss of her family.

But this version of Jung Heewon…

«Ugh…»

Was she trapped in a nightmare?

I gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.

As I considered administering another dose of ‘Elain Forest Spirit’, a message appeared before my eyes.

[An ‘exclusive transaction’ has been finalized via the ‘exchange’.]

[150,000 coins have been acquired as an initial payment.]

An unexpected windfall of coins.

Then, a direct communication came through.

—Hey, just who exactly did you form a contract with?

It was the voice of the dokkaebi Bihyung, whom I hadn’t heard from in some time.

—What kind of sponsor operates like this? Your… Constellation. Hah. That’s not the point. Regarding the transaction, as you stated… Ah, never mind. I am to defer that matter to the upper management…

Abruptly, the dokkaebi communication terminated.

What could he have been threatened with?

—Did you get the deposit?

‘Yes.’

I wanted to ask what was happening, but I held my tongue. There were more pressing matters at hand.

—Good. The scenario rewards are settled and the transaction is handled. Let’s proceed.

‘Now?’

—Right.

I quickly scanned the room.

It was a private ward, so aside from myself and the unconscious Jung Heewon, we were alone.

«Alright.»

With a quiet sigh, I retrieved the ‘Fragment of Kim Dokja’ from my pocket.

It was the doll I had obtained after defeating the Earth Dragon species.

[The story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ gazes at the ‘Fragment of Kim Dokja’.]

I understood intuitively, without needing an explanation.

This ‘doll’ could assimilate the fragments in the same manner I had done before.

—Proceed quickly. This isn’t your first time. You’ve already gathered six fragments.

‘Me?’

I wondered when I could have possibly collected so many.

[Disappearances collected to date: 6]

Scenes suddenly flashed through my mind.

Rescuing Max at Chungmuro Station.
The altered fates of Bang Cheolsoo and the Geumho Station survivors.
Meeting Shin Yoosoung in this 41st round.
The conflict with the Ark of the Beggar Sect at Seoul Station.
Transforming Lee Dansu into the ‘Immortal King’…

Disappearances.

I distinctly recalled the message noting a ‘Disappearance’ had been recorded on each of those occasions.

Could all of those events have been fragments?

—Do you recall now?

‘Were those all pieces of you?’

—Pieces of us, to be precise.

Finally, things began to fall into place, one piece at a time.

—They aren’t solely fragments consumed by monsters. Some fragments reside within stories. They slumber inside a narrative they wished to read.

A story they wished to read.

Unconsciously, my grip on the doll tightened.

—Have you noticed changes with each fragment you’ve gathered? Your abilities have grown.

—’My [Incite] skill has advanced significantly.’

My [Incite] skill had gained proficiency at a remarkable pace, having already surpassed level 10.

Beyond that, subtle shifts occurred with each small piece I acquired: gaining [Sentence Enhancement], the unexpected activation of [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint].

—Naturally. The more fragments you assimilate, the nearer you come to being a complete ‘Kim Dokja’.

A complete Kim Dokja.

Did that mean if I gathered all the fragments, the ‘Kim Dokja’ I remembered could truly return?

—Absorb it now. If we delay further, they will return.

Those beings.

Now I remembered Kim Dokja’s warning.

They were the ones who had killed ‘me’.

The thought was baffling.

‘The Oldest Dream’ was virtually synonymous with the <Star Stream> itself.

Who possessed the power to kill Kim Dokja in such a state?

‘Is that black hand connected to your current situation?’

—Possibly. My memory of the event is incomplete.

As he spoke, I could sense Kim Dokja’s gaze fixed upon the doll.

—Assimilating it may restore some of those memories.

I pressed my lips together and looked down at the doll resembling Kim Dokja.

Normally, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I had absorbed fragments before.

The issue was the form this ‘fragment’ had taken.

A doll that was the spitting image of a ‘kkoma Kim Dokja’.

After a moment’s hesitation, I slowly reached for the doll. A story emanated from it.

「 ‘Let’s meet and go, Kim Kyungsik. Do you recall the message you sent me previously?» 」

A voice I recognized well.

「 «Ah, this old man here tends to speak like an old man, you see.» 」

I jerked my hand back from the doll.

«Wait, this is—»

It was undeniable. Despite some damage, this ‘kkoma Kim Dokja’ was someone I knew.

Kim Kyungsik.

The elderly man I met in the theater dungeon. He had read the novel six times in its entirety. A reader with a peculiar manner of speech.

I knew he had vanished from the Palace Museum, but I never imagined he would end up in this state.

If I reclaimed this fragment now, what would become of him?

—Youngest.

Faint sparks flickered in the air. It was a sign the rifts were preparing to open again.

—If you delay any longer, they will arrive. If they take it this time, it will be lost for good.

‘But—’

If we absorb Kim Kyungsik now, what is his fate?

—That person. Do you wish to save him?

‘Is there a way?’

—Perhaps. It is difficult presently, but… To do so, you must first reclaim his soul. That is the sole path to his revival.

My emotions were conflicted, but I had little choice but to trust Kim Dokja’s words. Further delay risked the fragment being stolen once more by the Black Hands.

[The story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ opens its mouth.]

The story stirred, much as it had when absorbing previous fragments. Yet, this felt different from its previous greedy consumption. It enveloped the doll with immense gentleness, like swallowing a fragile biscuit.

At the final moment, the doll’s eyes slowly opened and looked directly at me.

「 «Finally.» 」

The fragment dissolved into me along with the voice.

[A new ‘Disappearance’ has been acquired!]

[Fragment of the story ‘Kim Kyungsik’ has been recorded.]

[The story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ has successfully predated.]

[The status of the story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ has increased slightly.]

[The story ‘Heir of the Eternal Name’ is satisfied.]

[A time limit of 20 days has been added.]

Twenty. I had gained a lifespan vastly longer than what the smaller fragments provided.

But that was not all.

[The exclusive skill from the story fragment ‘Kim Kyungsik’ will be transferred to you.]

Unlike the simple absorption of ‘fragments’, this time there was a tangible reward.

[The exclusive skill ‘Acting Human’ has been acquired.]

Kim Kyungsik’s skill, [Acting Human].
An evasion skill that allows the user to transform into a gaseous state to avoid danger, provided they possess the Gombangdae item.

It was then a voice spoke from behind me.

«What have you done just now?»

How long had they been there?

Someone was standing beyond the threshold of the wide-open hospital room door.