Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Novel MTL - Chapter 708

Chapter 708

Seven hundred and eight, Episode Twenty-Six: Star Ladder (4)
A day after the completion of ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Ji Eunyu once gathered reader questions for a survey.

One question appeared with noticeable frequency.

“Just how powerful is Kim Dokja?”

To be honest, I was also curious.

How strong is Kim Dokja?

But when I tried to put an answer into words, I found it impossible to define his strength.

This is because, in ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, power is measured in ‘stories’.

Kim Dokja amassed stories through relentless effort, and his strength grew with each one he collected.

In Part 1, he gathered five stories to become the ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

In Part 2, he earned his first ‘Giant Story’ by defeating the mythical-grade constellation, ‘Surya’, the supreme god of light.

In Part 3, he secured a second major story after the 1,863rd round and the ‘Gigantomachia’.

In Part 4, he became the youngest member of ‘Jecheon Daeseong’ following the Holy Demon War, finalizing the remaining ‘Giant Story’.

Finally reaching Part 5, Kim Dokja became the world itself.

What does it mean to become a world?

Can the ‘strength’ of an entity that has become the world even be measured?

I still do not know the answer.

However, I can speak about ‘Kim Dokja before he became the world’.

For instance, Kim Dokja from ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Part 1’.

He had become a narrative-grade constellation and earned the name ‘Demon King of Salvation’.

If someone were to ask, this is how I would describe his power.

「 «Well, I suppose he could eliminate around ten great-grade constellations.» 」

And unfortunately, the constellation before me never got to hear that answer.

[I have never encountered a story such as this—]

The incarnation of ‘The One Who Washes Clean’, muttering in disbelief, was cleanly severed into two halves.

[The constellation ‘The One Who Washes Clean’ has received a catastrophic blow to his true body!]

[The constellation ‘The One Who Washes Clean’ has been expelled from the scenario!]

The incarnation, freed from its half-body descent, crumbled into pale bones. Exit messages for the two other constellations who met the same fate followed in quick succession.

[The constellation ‘Survivor of a Secret Country’ has been expelled from the scenario!]

[The constellation ‘The Wise Young Man’ has been expelled from the scenario!]

A tragedy that unfolded in a single moment.

The constellations were left speechless.

A constellation’s full power cannot be manifested through a Half-God Advent.

Even so, constellations are constellations—beings recognized as such by gathering at least five stories.

These were not great-grade existences who should be so easily and utterly defeated.

[Valkyrie’s daughter. How is this possible?]

[How did that individual—]

[Everyone, remain calm. His current level is far beneath his original status.]

[Far beneath it? Just how powerful was that constellation originally—]

‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’ answered with an icy expression.

[The final classification grade of the constellation ‘Demon King of Salvation’ was ‘Myth Grade’.]

A mythical-grade constellation.

Hearing this, the seven constellations began speaking over each other simultaneously.

[Myth-grade? Are you certain you are not mistaken?]

[Why were we not informed of this sooner!]

Kim Dokja spoke, seeming to enjoy the commotion he had caused.

«You seem to be aware of something. Those unfortunate great-grade beings came here completely unaware.»

The constellations now looked as if they were on the verge of screaming.

But in truth, Kim Dokja was not in a position to be so relaxed. I knew this better than anyone, as it was my body he was using.

*Crumble.*

Even without bearing any probability backlash, my body was already fracturing in numerous places.

An incarnation body breaking down from just one use of a constellation’s power.

This is the ‘class’ of a mythical-grade constellation.

‘Constellation-nim.’

—I know.

There is a limit to how many times [Full Personalization] can be performed with this body.

Meanwhile, seven great-grade constellations still remained.

Yet, Kim Dokja did not lose his composure.

«If you die here, no record of you will remain. Are you all prepared to vanish so completely?»

I hoped they might be frightened enough to flee, but the situation was unlikely to be resolved so easily.

‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’ stepped forward and declared.

[Constellations of the great <Asgard>. There is no need for fear. ‘Mythical-grade’ is merely a story from another world line. Now, he is just a fragment of a discarded god.]

A discarded god. They had used that term before.

[His true body was already torn apart by the great ‘mythical constellations’. He cannot access the power he once wielded at his peak. Just like the monkey star in <The Emperor>.]

I was taken aback.

What was she talking about?

Kim Dokja’s ‘true body’ was torn apart?

And it was done by mythical constellations?

Is that even possible?

It didn’t make sense.

Based on the conclusion of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Kim Dokja attained a status that transcends mythical constellations, becoming the absolute ruler of this world.

Did Kim Dokja suffer such a fate?

Are other mythical constellations truly that powerful?

I thought of the mythical constellations representing the major nebulae.

For example, the constellations of the ‘final scenario’ like Odin, the ‘One-Eyed Matreya’ of <Asgard>, or the ‘Seat of Lightning’ from <Olympus>.

Even in the main story, Kim Dokja chose to avoid direct confrontation with them, which speaks to their proven might.

But that was all before Kim Dokja became the ‘Oldest Dream’.

Would Odin or Zeus truly be powerful enough to challenge Kim Dokja after he saw the end of the scenario?

[Arrogant fragment of a god. You are no longer the sole observer of this world.]

What was clear was that the ‘Valkyrie’s daughter’ before us knew exactly who the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ was.

[I am certain you still labor under the delusion that you can see and shape this world as you please.]

And she knew something about the hidden truths of this world.

‘Constellation-nim, what does she mean? What does it mean that your body was torn apart?’

I expected him to evade the question, but Kim Dokja answered frankly.

—Literally. You already know. There is not merely one ‘Kim Dokja’ in this world.

‘Then what of the ‘Oldest Dream’?’

From what they said, it was highly probable that the ‘Oldest Dream’ did not exist in this world now.

Thinking that, several things suddenly made sense.

「 «You can only press the reset button once. In the next round, everything in this universe will be destroyed forever.» 」

In a flashback seen through Anna Croft, the Yoo Jonghyuk of the 40th round had said: the 41st round would be his final life.

If Yoo Jonghyuk discovered an issue with his sponsor, causing a problem with his [regression], then that statement became understandable.

However, if the ‘Oldest Dream’ had truly vanished, the real problem lay elsewhere.

‘Who, then, is observing this world right now?’

The entire universe exists through the observations of Kim Dokja, who became the ‘Oldest Dream’.

But if the ‘Oldest Dream’ is absent, who now watches over this world in his stead?

—Youngest, you must have many questions.

Just as Kim Dokja was about to respond, the constellations, having regained their courage, surrounded us once more.

Kim Dokja spoke with a bitter smile.

«Do you wish to continue this fight? Even if I cannot demonstrate my prime strength, tearing you apart would be a simple matter.»

[Perhaps. That is, if your incarnation body were intact.]

‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’, who had abruptly switched to using honorifics, smiled faintly, her sharp eyes gleaming.

Stigmata «Keen Perception».

While it cannot reveal detailed information like [Character List] or [Sage’s Eyes], it is a skill that analyzes an opponent’s current state through close observation of their breathing, movement, tone, and expression.

[Even possessing such power, your incarnation vessel has reached its limit. Do you believe I am unaware?]

It seemed <Asgard> did not only have foolish constellations.

After fully assessing our situation, Valkyrie’s daughter issued orders to the others.

[Combine your strength. I will engage him directly.]

‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’ stepped forward to represent the remaining constellations.

The auras of the seven constellations converged upon a single point.

The red and blue energy flickering around ‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’ soon began to burn with a fierce, pure white light.

「 This place is now a yawning abyss. 」

The spear in her hand blazed, and a thread of story stirred.

「 The worlds of ice and fire were divided across the primordial void. 」

Reading that line filled me with dread. Though it was a fragment and not the full text, there was no mistaking it.

‘Is that the Crest of Creation?’

I never imagined <Asgard> would go this far.

The fact that they bestowed the Creation Crest upon a mere great-grade constellation showed how seriously they were treating this situation.

—We’ve caught the attention of some fanatics.

Kim Dokja also seemed troubled for the first time.

From a Nebula’s perspective, great-grade constellations are expendable. If handing the Creation Crest to them could secure Kim Dokja, it was a calculated expense for <Asgard>.

[Go on. Try using that technique again.]

Now, that skill can only be used once.

My body has reached its limit, and now ‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’ is staking her life.

If we defeat her, the remaining six constellations will undoubtedly unite against us.

If that happens, it’s over.

—Do not worry, youngest.

Yet, even facing such a dire situation, Kim Dokja remained calm.

He took a deep breath and shouted in an even louder voice.

«I don’t understand you. You all are insufficient. Why not call for stronger constellations?»

[We are enough for you—]

«Even if the mythical-grade constellations are lazy, where are they all? Don’t you have any of the 12 Olympians of <Asgard>? Is this the full extent of Asgard’s forces?»

Of course, <Asgard> has a grade equivalent to the ’12 Olympus’.

«Guardian of the Great Horn Bridge! Flame of Muspelheim! God of Harp and Horon! Where are you all hiding?»

As the names of these narrative-grade constellations left Kim Dokja’s mouth, the constellations, including ‘Valkyrie’s Daughter’, were visibly startled.

Kim Dokja continued, seeming to relish their reactions.

«Heimdall! Surtur! Tyr! Baldur! Where are you all hiding that you cannot see me? I am here! Come and get me!»

The constellations, belatedly understanding the situation, cried out in alarm.

[How dare you—]

I grew equally anxious.

Calling them crazy, and then acting just as recklessly.

What is our plan now?

If a truly enraged Heimdall or Surtur appears…

Then, a strange thought occurred to me.

Those guys, seriously, why hasn’t anyone come?

<Asgard> invested a tremendous amount of probability into this event, even bringing ‘Ginnungagap’ to the stage. Why hadn’t they brought their crucial constellations, even going so far as to grant the Crest of Creation?

To be blunt, if a mythical constellation like Odin, the ‘One-Eyed Father’, or Thor, the ‘Thunder of Thursday’, had come from the start, we would have been ashes instantly.

The fact that they couldn’t…

«Cowardly Odin! If you wish to capture me, come and do it yourself!»

The moment Kim Dokja spoke Odin’s name, the <Asgard> constellations paled.

[No—!]

Normally, lightning should have struck from the sky immediately.

The world fell into a dead silence.

Kim Dokja gazed at the sky for a moment before speaking, mocking the quiet.

«It must be frightening. The scales are tipping.»

The moment those words were spoken, the sky tore open, and a bolt of lightning descended.

*Grumble!*

It was lightning from <Asgard>.

The high-ranking constellations of <Asgard>, silent until now, had finally responded to Kim Dokja’s provocation.

But at that very instant, a sound of something being ripped apart echoed from the direction of the lightning strike. A terrible roar, as if stars were being erased, sounded, and then the sky fell silent once more.

The great-grade constellations stared upward, eyes wide.

[W-what in the world—]

It was clear what had occurred. One of the <Asgard> constellations beyond ‘Ginnungagap’ had caused a disturbance, and almost simultaneously, someone delivered a fatal blow to that constellation.

But who could possibly do such a thing?

Who could strike down a constellation of <Asgard>, whom no one in this universe should dare to challenge?

«If the scales tip, someone you cannot handle may come for you.»

Kim Dokja gazed at the sky with a distant look. I looked up with him.

The moment the pitch-black sky of Ginnungagap rippled like a dark cloak, I understood.

I do not know who the ‘Oldest Dream’ observing this world is.

However, I know one being who is searching for Kim Dokja more fiercely than any other.

A being who does not fear confronting Nebulae.

The one who has slain the most ‘stars’ in the universe and who saw the end of the scenarios alongside Kim Dokja.

The protagonist of ‘Ways of Survival’,

「 Beyond that curtain is the ‘Yoo Jonghyuk’ I know. 」