Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 692

Chapter 692

Here is the paraphrased chapter:

692 Episode 24 Expert (2)
«Seonah-ssi.»

Koo Seonah.

A reader who had accompanied Kim Kyungsik out of the ‘Theater Dungeon’.

Her total number of completed readings was eight.

She was known by the nickname Lady Cheolgon.

The last report of her was from the Star Jewel Dungeon at the Palace Museum, and it was a relief to see she was unharmed.

«I asked… what was that just now?»

The issue was that she had just observed a deeply awkward situation.

My thoughts were in disarray.

How much had Koo Seonah actually seen?

I drew a long breath and cycled through my reasoning repeatedly.

Objectively, to an outside observer, it would have looked like I had just shattered a doll made to look like Kim Dokja.

It was an incriminating sight, one that painted me in a certain light.

Was it serious enough to demand an explanation?

«How did you acquire that skill-»

A skill?

I glanced down at my fingers, a moment too late.

The nails that had touched the mist from the hospital room’s humidifier were trembling faintly.

The distinct nature of the skill [Acting Human] was manifesting on its own.

«This.»

It was unmistakably a scenario ripe for misinterpretation.

If Koo Seonah had witnessed me employing a skill that belonged to Kim Kyungsik, who had died the moment I absorbed the doll.

Then a realization dawned on me.

But could it truly be called a misunderstanding?

A conversation was necessary regardless.

I needed to clarify what was happening to me and describe the overall situation.

[Exclusive skill ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ is activated!]

[Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint activated at will.]

Then, the unfiltered thoughts of another person reached me.

「 Kim Kyungsik was definitely dead at that moment. 」

I didn’t need to guess whose inner voice this was.

「 I saw him die. I am certain of it. 」

«Seonah-ssi?»

When I stepped forward, Koo Seonah retreated a step, her face etched with fear.

Her memories were pouring forth.

A place enclosed by moist stone walls. Inside the collapsed National Palace Museum dungeon, surrounded by members of the Misreading association.

「 «Kill her. This is a chance to eliminate an apostle.» 」

It was impossible to distinguish which member of the Misreading association had spoken.

What was clear was that she had been cornered in that dungeon, her life hanging by a thread.

「 «Retrieve the fragments! Do not let a single one escape!» 」

That she was not the sole apostle present there.

「 «Miss Seona. Cover the front!» 」

The two had fought valiantly. It was expected, as both had fully mastered Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. However, the opposition was too numerous, and they had also run into a dungeon guard.

Just as there are scenarios that even the repeatedly regressed Yoo Jonghyuk cannot overcome, there exists misfortune that even readers who have completed Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint cannot evade.

It was a stray arrow that would typically be ignored.

Koo Seonha, with her high agility, had dodged it with ease.

The issue was Kim Kyungsik, positioned behind her.

With a piercing sound, Kim Kyungsik collapsed to his knees. It was the precise moment his unique skill, [Acting Human], was reactivating.

「 «Grandpa!» 」

Kim Kyungsik, coughing up a mouthful of blood, offered a pained smile.

「 «Damn it. This isn’t right.» 」

「 «What are you saying? You can still acquire ‘Ellaine Forest’s Spirit’—» 」

「 «I’m poisoned. I have less than 10 minutes at most.» 」

Likely reading her despair, Kim Kyungsik smiled warmly.

「 «It’s alright.» 」

Koo Sunah knew little about Kim Kyungsik. His real name, his home, his family.

She knew nothing.

All she understood was that her companion Kim Kyungsik had read and cherished the same story she did.

「 «We made a promise. We said we would see the end of this world together.» 」

「 «We did. So run. If you do, I will find a way to survive too.» 」

Koo Seonah couldn’t bring herself to question what that meant.

Because she was terrified of the encroaching enemies. Because she wanted to live.

Koo Seonah fled by herself. She ran without once glancing back.

Kim Kyungsik’s final words lingered in her mind like the smell of a recently put-out cigarette.

「 «Didn’t every one of us in this world come from the same origin?» 」

I moved another step closer to Koo Seonah. She let out a anguished cry.

«Ah, stop! Don’t come any closer!»

Koo Seonah’s red-rimmed eyes were wide with terror.

«I-I didn’t cause his death!»

Koo Seonah’s shock wasn’t due to thinking I had absorbed Kim Kyungsik. She was now confronting the guilt she had been suppressing.

«I didn’t kill him! It wasn’t my fault… It wasn’t my fault!»

Koo Seonah turned from that path and began to run.

Just as I prepared to call out to her again.

—Let her go.

Kim Dokja advised, his tone even.

—This is not a problem you can fix.

Even though his words were logical, I found myself unable to look away from Koo Seonah’s retreating figure.

There would be an opportunity later to clarify today’s incident.

Until that time, I could only wish for her emotional recovery.

—We need to get ready for the next scenario. You must go after Yoo Jonghyuk.

Amid the pressing urgency, I had briefly forgotten.

My initial plan was to join Yoo Jonghyuk for the conclusion of the 7th scenario.

But I received a ‘Story Penalty’ partway, and Yoo Jonghyuk left me behind.

—You are aware that his current state is unstable, correct?

‘It resembled regression depression.’

For unknown reasons, Yoo Jonghyuk’s regression depression in this 41st cycle seemed particularly intense.

That was likely why he had attempted to use me as a form of control.

—If you delay, he might kill Anna.

That would create significant complications.

‘Anna.’

—We depart as soon as Jung Heewon regains consciousness, understood?

Jung Heewon. Anna, Lee Hyunsung…

Reflecting on it, Kim Dokja, the ‘Demon King of Salvation’, is their leader.

He did not refer to them with familiarity.

This is because he does not view this world as his own.

Or perhaps he intentionally maintains a distance?

‘Constellation.’

Although I am Kim Dokja, the inner workings of Kim Dokja remain unknown to me.

I don’t comprehend why he is assisting me or what his expectations are.

Therefore, I needed to inquire.

—Hmm.

‘Now, explain.’

Why was Kim Dokja unable to rejoin his comrades?

How did all of this begin?

‘Who exactly are the ones responsible for your death?’

In the end, I did not receive a satisfactory answer from Kim Dokja.

—It is certain that the major nebulae are involved.

‘In this worldline, is there any significant event that a ‘major nebula’ isn’t a part of?’

That was not the response I sought.

‘Regardless of a nebula’s size, could they truly kill you? It seems implausible, even for mythical constellations.’

Reconsidering it, it still defies understanding.

‘To kill Kim Dokja, who holds the title of the ‘Oldest Dream’.

Does a being exist in this universe capable of even touching him?

How many could there possibly be?

—Complex events transpired. It’s a lengthy explanation, and my recollection is incomplete.

«You mentioned earlier that consuming that fragment would restore your memories.»

—That was my assumption, but the memories aren’t returning clearly. Alright, however, let’s discuss…

He paused mid-sentence and then remained silent for an extended period.

I questioned the reason.

[The daily usage limit for ‘Midday Tryst’ has been exceeded.]

[An excessive amount of probability has built up in the relic.]

Tsutsutchut. The smartphone emitted a static noise.

Even for [Midday Tryst], exchanging such a volume of information and messages with one’s sponsor from the outset is not typical.

Fortunately, the probability issue was quickly addressed.

[Please submit additional coins.]

Ultimately, coins can resolve almost any problem.

I waited for a time. I expected Kim Dokja to resume speaking shortly.

«Constellation.»

But despite the wait, Kim Dokja did not continue.

«Hey.»

Was he refusing to speak to avoid spending coins?

Should I make the payment instead?

[Your constellation is observing you.]

As an experiment, I did nothing and remained motionless.

[Your constellation is observing you.]

I pretended to be unaware.

[Your constellation is observing you!]

[Your constellation is observing you!]

[Your constellation is observing you!]

Just as I resolved to add the coins, thinking he was truly that stubborn, a portal materialized with a shrill sound at the center of Gwanghwamun in the distance.

I was curious about the portal’s origin, and upon looking, non-Korean individuals emerged from it.

«I am here to acquire the 4th grade monster parts! Is the seller present?»

The speaker was a brown-haired woman at the forefront.

Although her face was unfamiliar, her crisp tone immediately revealed her identity.

Selena Kim.

She had to be Selena Kim, the right hand of Anna Croft.

Indeed, it seemed Anna’s group ‘Zarathustra’ was the purchaser of the 4th grade Earth Dragon species parts, as few groups would offer over 300,000 coins so early on.

«Cheon Inho-ssi! Are you here?»

Did Selena Kim’s arrival indicate that Anna Croft was also here?

As the crowd murmured, I decided to announce myself.

«That’s me!»

Selena Kim noticed me approaching and waved.

She inclined her head in greeting.

«Cheon Inho-ssi?»

«Correct.»

«A pleasure to meet you. I am—»

«Selena Kim, isn’t it?»

«You know of me?»

Her eyes widened in surprise, and my own pulse quickened.

I never anticipated meeting Selena Kim in person.

It was a novel sensation.

I had survived to see this.

«Indeed. The king’s guardian.»

«Ah.»

«Pleased to meet you.»

Selena Kim’s cheeks flushed slightly as she bowed her head in appreciation.

«Thank you. That’s very generous. I must admit, I’m a bit taken aback.»

«No, regarding generosity—»

«The King is quite an intimidating figure, so I was genuinely anxious.»

It appeared Selena Kim had already encountered Yoo Jonghyuk. Did that mean she had hurried here during the scenario?

As if confirming my suspicion, Selena Kim promptly addressed the main issue.

«Where might the 4th grade Earth Dragon you listed for sale be—»

«Did you manage to defeat the ‘4th grade Earth Dragon Species’?»

Then, a woman from the back stepped forward.

A voice and face I had never encountered. Her hair had a subtle pink hue. She was a head shorter than Selena Kim.

She wore bold makeup but was dressed in a sharp suit.

«Who are you?»

«I asked if you were the one who defeated it.»

Was there someone this impolite in Anna’s group?

I responded with a tone laced with skepticism.

«What a disgraceful display.»

The woman showed no reaction to my comment.

«Okay?»

Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

«Yes, this is the one.»

She held a pocket watch.

Instantly, warning signals flared in my mind.

I instinctively triggered [Incite] and gripped ‘Unbreakable Faith’ with my right hand.

«Your reflexes are impressive.»

But she was quicker.

A pocket watch that oscillated in both directions.

I knew I should avert my gaze from the clock, but my eyes refused to obey.

It was that kind of item.

Pocket Watch of the Immortal Face.

Only then did I recognize the incarnation before me.

Throughout all of Ways of Survival, only one incarnation possessed that pocket watch.

The finger-snapper, Christina Page.

The American incarnation who, like me, cleared the first scenario by accomplishing the ‘Demagogy Killing’ feat.

[Your total magic power is inferior to the caster’s.]

[The effect of Pocket Watch of the Immortal Face has reduced your skill potency for 2 seconds.]

Though merely two seconds, it felt interminable.

«From this moment, you will.»

Christina’s smile induced a cold dread down my spine.

It ignited and spread.

«Succumb to a profound slumber.»

My awareness faded to the sound of a finger snap.

Christina observed the man with his head lowered before her.

‘I had concerns after Anna’s briefing, but he is less than I anticipated.’

He seemed perceptive, but she had caught him unprepared.

Evading her hypnosis was fundamentally impossible.

«Christina, what is the meaning of this?»

«Pardon?»

«This was not part of the plan! How could you act so disrespectfully— Our objective is to purchase the 4th grade earth dragon species parts…»

Christina, appearing weary of Selena’s reproach, replied with an eye roll.

«You are truly naive, child.»

«What does that mean?»

«Why do you believe Anna assigned me to accompany you?»

«…»

«If we were only here to buy the parts, she could have sent just you. Why include me?»

As Selena Kim faltered, Christina expressed her frustration.

She shook her head.

«Good grief, use your head. Who would sell 4th grade Earth Dragon species parts for 500,000 coins? With no items on offer?»

Christina tapped Cheon Inho’s motionless forehead with her finger.

«A few years at the FBI teaches you to recognize the type. A slender build with a cunning demeanor. Particularly those narrow eyes.»

«If the FBI’s method is to judge based on appearance alone, my trust in the FBI is misplaced.»

«No. Obviously, that’s not the official FBI stance—a Korean associate once mentioned that in Korea, a face like this signifies a swindler…»

«Christina.»

Christina, sensing she had misspoken, hurriedly continued.

«Regardless, the payment sum exceeds the initial 150,000 coin deposit. Let’s collect our goods and depart. Since this is a discreditable act, I’ll appropriate some bonuses—»

«Christina!»

«What now?»

Selena Kim’s expression was stern as she looked at Christina’s irritated face.

Christina soon sensed that something was amiss.

Something was gripping her finger.

«Honestly, I was trying to conserve coins, and now I’m entangled in unnecessary trouble.»

Only a single finger was restrained. Yet her body felt paralyzed and unresponsive.

‘How is this—’

She wanted to deny the possibility.

Her hypnosis had undoubtedly worked. He should have been unconscious and immobile for at least a full day.

«A 150,000 coin advance… How is the market price for a 4th grade Earth Dragon species known just two months into the scenarios?»

But he was moving.

He was even speaking.

That was not the sole issue.

What was this sensation?

Even after her finger was released, her body remained frozen.

Her shoulders trembled violently, and her lungs constricted, making breathing arduous.

The feeling she had experienced when confronting a constellation once.

No, this felt more terrifying and remote than before.

[The constellation ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is glaring at you.]

She dared not turn her head. It felt as though something dreadful would be waiting if she did.

His pale, cold hands applied a gentle pressure to her shoulders.

«My initial plan was to accept 500,000 coins… but that won’t be possible now.»

A faint crackle accompanied his words as a chill, reminiscent of a devil’s whisper, brushed her ear.

«Go inform Anna that I require an audience with her.»