Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 702

Chapter 702

702 Episode 25 Demon King (5)

[The ruler of the ‘Washington Dome’ has been slain.]

The message was difficult to comprehend at first.

«What is going on?»

«Perhaps… the King is responsible.»

In essence, the circumstances were straightforward.

Yoo Jonghyuk had vanquished the ‘Ruler of the Washington Dome’.

Otherwise, such a notification would not have reached me.

We proceeded directly into the ‘Washington Dome’ to verify the truth.

A gray current tainted by the incursion of the Demon Realm.

The streets were littered with the bodies of demon species and humans.

«Yoo Joonghyuk!»

I called out, but received no reply. We immediately sprinted toward the Capitol building.

From the passing landscape, I could infer the intense struggle our comrades who had arrived ahead of us must have endured.

«Mr. Dansu! Ms. Sein!»

I continued shouting their names.

Mr. Dansu, Kyung Sein, Killer King, Cha Yerin, Ye Hyunwoo.

Yoo Jonghyuk’s companions Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye, and Kim Namwoon. And…

«Ms. Yoosoung!»

Despite my loud shouts, there was no response.

Washington was enveloped in an unusually profound silence. Not a single trace of ‘life’ could be sensed anywhere.

«Anna Croft.»

I fixed my gaze on Anna.

She had explicitly stated that my companions were safe.

In fact, she still held that belief.

«The Korean party is unharmed.»

«How can you be certain without the use of [Future Sight]?»

«After Yoo Jonghyuk declared a direct confrontation with the Marquis-class entity, every ‘Korean member’ except for him advanced to the ‘next scenario’.»

The next scenario?

«The Washington Dome scenario is the concluding segment of the ‘seventh scenario’, but it functions as a form of ‘selection scenario’.»

Anna Croft uttered these words while looking up at the Washington sky.

A swirling vortex was visible in the sky, emitting a faint glow.

A partially broken rope ladder could be seen swaying down from the vortex.

[‘Star Ladder’ has been formed.]

[Incarnations fulfilling specific criteria may utilize the ladder.]

A realization dawned on me belatedly.

Here on the American continent, the ‘seventh scenario’ and the ‘eighth scenario’ were currently progressing simultaneously.

«As you are likely aware, incarnations who have hunted a sufficient number of monsters may proceed to the next scenario without the need to complete this one.»

In short, that ladder served as the gateway to the ‘eighth scenario’.

«It is improbable that the other team members would have abandoned Yoo Jonghyuk.»

«It was the King’s final directive. He threatened to execute anyone who did not immediately advance to the next scenario, leaving his companions with no alternative but to comply.»

Had Yoo Jonghyuk issued such a threat, it would not have been surprising for the group to depart without him.

But why would Yoo Jonghyuk give such an ‘order’?

—Did this guy attempt to hoard the items for himself again?

‘Is that truly the reason?’

—How would you know without having read Ways of Survival?

‘Even without reading Ways of Survival, I am aware of that much.’

During my exchange with Kim Dokja, an additional message crossed my mind.

[You have fulfilled the mission of subduing a 4th grade monster species.]

[‘Star Ladder’ acknowledges you.]

[Do you wish to use the ‘Star Ladder’?]

[Upon using the ladder, you may enter the region of the ‘Eighth Scenario’.]

Was it because the subjugation of the 4th grade species was completed in Korea? I too had met the requirements to advance to the eighth scenario.

Incidentally, that ‘star ladder’ was a mechanism I had never encountered in the main story.

‘Was the original eighth scenario not ‘Dark Castle’?’

—Hmm…

Internally, I considered this a positive development. This was because ‘Dark Castle’ is one of the scenarios renowned for its extreme difficulty within Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.

It is the birthplace of the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ and a scenario where someone must ‘recover’.

Avoiding it at all costs was preferable if possible.

However, our ‘Ways of Survival authority’ appeared to hold a contrary view.

—If possible, refrain from using that ladder.

‘Why?’

—With luck, it might lead to a scenario more manageable than ‘Dark Castle’, but with misfortune… you could find yourself in a place far worse than ‘Dark Castle’.

‘They say my comrades have already gone through.’

—I hope those individuals were fortunate.

I was on the verge of questioning how someone could make such an irresponsible statement when, with a faint spark, the connection to ‘Midday Tryst’ was momentarily severed.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed this person deliberately did this whenever he found himself in a difficult situation.

«Regardless, I suppose the circumstances are not entirely dire.»

Anna Croft, her expression brightening, surveyed the area and spoke.

«If the King indeed defeated the Demon King, it is reasonable to conclude the scenario has concluded. With the central ruler of the dome eliminated, only subordinate forces remain.»

As she stated, the pivotal element of this situation was a ‘marquis-level Demon King’ located in the Capitol.

However, should Yoo Jonghyuk have single-handedly defeated him, this scenario ought to be deemed concluded.

[The seventh scenario is currently underway.]

One disquieting aspect was that the scenario completion message had yet to appear.

It had been clearly announced that the ‘ruler of the Washington Dome’ had been killed.

Why then had the scenario not ended?

It was at that moment Anna, who had been several paces ahead, abruptly halted.

«Cheon Inho.»

A portal materialized opposite the building on the right. We grew tense, each drawing our weapons and readying ourselves.

Could another ‘demon species’ have appeared? Or perhaps not—

Very well.

The light footsteps approaching from beyond the portal were not human.

Subsequently, a white horse with radiant fur emerged, prancing lightly, accompanied by a brilliant halo of light.

The knight astride the horse gently stroked its head.

«Compose yourself, Griffith.»

Gleaming silver chain mail and a red surcoat draped over it. The man’s brilliant blonde hair, swaying in the wind, suggested a noble lineage.

«Are you Anna Croft?»

Anna, jolted to awareness by the knight’s solemn voice, responded with a question.

«Are you truly Sir Elliot?»

«This is our first face-to-face meeting, Prophet.»

The knight dismounted gracefully and approached with a soft smile.

«As anticipated, your beauty matches that which I witnessed in my dream.»

He then knelt on one knee before Anna and extended his hand to her, seemingly intending to kiss her hand.

But instead of offering her hand, Anna regarded the knight with an impassive expression.

«State the purpose of your visit, Sir Elliot.»

The knight rose, appearing somewhat discomfited.

«It seems the Lady is quite displeased. I came to assist my sister in her time of need, yet I am disheartened by such a frigid reception.»

Only then did I begin to grasp the direction of the conversation.

—That is one of the United Kingdom’s prominent incarnations.

Kim Dokja, who only surfaces when he has something to contribute, made another timely appearance.

‘Who is he?’

—Him? Elliott Haston.

‘And who is that?’

—Are you familiar with the Knights of the Round Table?

Startled, I examined the man’s attire again. The man, who resembled someone in knightly cosplay, had an emblem on his coat that I recognized from somewhere.

[The constellation ‘Knight of the Lake’ takes pride in his incarnation.]

Knight of the Lake.

Only then did I identify the man.

‘Could he be the incarnation of ‘Lancelot’?’

—Correct.

Lancelot, a knight of King Arthur’s court.

A constellation well-known even in Korea.

‘But was Lancelot not originally of French origin? He selected a British incarnation.’

—Oh, you are aware of that as well?

Naturally, I know. I am, after all, a writer.

To my knowledge, Lancelot was a fictional character developed in France through a reinterpretation of the ‘Legend of King Arthur’.

—A French constellation is not obligated to choose a French incarnation. Neither Jecheon Daeseong nor Uriel are constellations originating from Korea.

‘Certainly, that is valid.’

We inspected Elliot’s status via [Character List].

[Chivalry, Advanced applied swordsmanship, Equestrianism, Position defense…]

The proficiency levels of all his skills were remarkably high. His overall capabilities were on par with or exceeded those of Korea’s ‘King’ tier.

—The courser ‘Griffith’. He even succeeded in securing a rare species of spirit creature.

The whinnying horse snorted in my direction.

A formidable individual possessing costly gear and a means of transport.

While the arrival of such a powerful ally would typically be welcome, Anna Croft did not appear pleased.

«I requested assistance on three occasions, yet received no reply.»

«Haha, Prophet. We certainly desired to provide aid, however…»

It seemed the UK had consistently declined support requests.

It is reasonable that any nation would find it challenging to offer support at this juncture.

But the issue remained.

Why had the UK now agreed to the support request?

Simply put, it might be due to increased capacity within their own national scenario.

—That is unlikely.

Regardless of nation, all incarnations in this decimated world are self-interested.

Their sole drive is survival, making them naturally averse to any action that jeopardizes their existence.

Yet, if they had mobilized, it indicated a compelling reason to undertake that risk on this occasion.

«Who is this individual?»

When Elliot’s attention shifted to me, Anna responded on my behalf.

«This is Cheon Inho from Korea.»

«South or North?»

«South.»

«Hmm.»

Elliot regarded me with a peculiar look as Anna provided the explanation.

An expression akin to appraising a horse’s pedigree. He then swiftly smiled and averted his gaze.

‘Constellation.’

—This is someone who will shortly be defeated by Jonghyuk.

‘What?’

One after another, portals materialized on the opposite side.

«Is this Washington?»

«An unremarkable city.»

Incarnations of diverse races.

It appeared that not only the UK but other nations had also joined this scenario.

Among them were several recognizable faces.

«Sister Ren, have we arrived at the correct location?»

«Well, according to the coordinates, this is the place.»

‘Asuka Ren’, the incarnation of Miyamoto Musashi, and her fellow incarnations.

These were the incarnations who had cleared the scenario alongside Kim Dokja in ‘Peace Land’ within Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.

Unfortunately, the 41st round of ‘Peace Land’ occurred while I was unconscious, and I had no association with them.

From a portal at the rear, a substantial number of Chinese incarnations emerged.

I observed the leading Chinese figure and inquired of Kim Dokja.

‘Is that Fei Hu?’

—No, I do not believe Fei Hu is present.

Fei Hu is the representative incarnation of the Chinese nebula, <Emperor>.

He was likely occupied participating in the scenario on the mainland, hence his absence.

—Nonetheless, assembling such a group in the early stages is no simple feat; it is quite an unusual sight.

Although renowned incarnations like China’s Fei Hu or India’s Ranbir Khan were absent, the gathering of incarnations from across the globe was impressive in its own right.

«Mr. Ren. You made it?»

«Prophet.»

Asuka Ren and Anna exchanged cordial greetings, likely due to a prior acquaintance.

«Who is this…?»

«This is Mr. Cheon Inho. He came from Korea to assist us.»

«Korea! Is this the King’s group?»

Asuka Ren bowed to me, appearing delighted.

«I am Asuka Ren.»

«I am Cheon Inho.»

«It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cheon Inho. The Korean incarnations provided significant aid in the previous scenario. How is Killer King?»

Was ‘Killer King’ among the numerous incarnations present there?

I was about to inquire about Killer King’s actions there when a rough voice interrupted from behind.

«Prophet! Where is the ‘Demon King in Washington’ you mentioned?»

An incarnation whose nationality was difficult to discern from appearance alone.

Simultaneously, the surrounding murmurs ceased abruptly.

This made the situation evident.

They had all come to slay the ‘ruler of Washington Dome’.

«The Demon King has already been captured.»

Anna Croft’s response caused a stir among the incarnations.

«That cannot be. We arrived here based on a scenario.»

A scenario?

«A sub-scenario was issued to eliminate the disaster in Washington.»

This statement evoked a sense of unease.

Had they received a ‘sub-scenario’ in place of the main scenario?

«The disaster has already been neutralized. We received the notification just moments ago.»

Despite Anna Croft’s clarification, the incarnations’ agitation did not appear to diminish.

«That is impossible. A scenario like this remains active!»

«Do they intend to monopolize the rewards in the United States?»

«We are pressed for time, so cease the nonsense and provide directions promptly! Where is the Demon King?»

«I came here to offer assistance to the best of my ability, yet the Americans show no gratitude.»

What was happening?

Anna Croft and I exchanged bewildered glances, failing to comprehend the situation, when Christina, who had been scouting nearby, returned breathlessly.

«Anna. Something is amiss. The invasion zone has not yet been lifted.»

Typically, upon the defeat of a ‘Disaster’, the planetary invasion concludes automatically.

Yet Washington remained shrouded in gray.

The land was profoundly corrupted by the ‘roots of darkness’ that had spread extensively.

[The ‘seventh scenario’ is currently in progress.]

A scenario that persistently refused to conclude.

At that instant, a pitch-black luminescence ascended from the distant Capitol building.

«That is—»

Without any command, the incarnations simultaneously sprinted toward that location.

Eliot, the Chinese incarnations, and Asuka Ren, riding a skateboard, swiftly departed.

Anna and I shared a look before giving chase.

How long did we run?

We soon reached the Capitol in question.

An individual was seated atop the Capitol building, enveloped in hazy smoke.

Elliot murmured.

«That is the ‘Demon King in Washington’.»

What stood there was not a human form.

A beast resembling a pitch-black wolf.

A sinister aura emanated from the black fur covering its body.

As its golden eyes slowly scanned the surroundings, several incarnations screamed.

An overwhelming presence that induced suffocation merely by its gaze.

«Ah, the Demon King—»

«All forces, prepare for engagement!»

«We shall hunt the Demon King!»

While the others recoiled in fear and brandished their weapons, I stared fixedly at the monster.

For some reason, I could not look away from that creature.

‘Constellation.’

Because.

—Damn, it seems that is the case.

No matter how I perceived it, to my eyes,

‘What?’

Because that ‘black beast’ resembled Yoo Jonghyuk.

[A new scenario has arrived!]