< Episode 18. The Reader's Battle (1) >
A goblin's voice boomed across the sky.
A group of low-rank goblins hovered in midair, looking down at us as if watching a house fire for fun. Among them, I spotted Bihyung. The moment our eyes met, the bastard whistled and deliberately looked away.
The goblin standing at the center of the group slowly opened his mouth.
He was speaking—to all of Seoul.
[Incarnations of Seoul City! I regret to inform you of a slightly unfortunate piece of news. Sadly, due to the reckless digging of certain individuals just moments ago, one of the 'Calamities' has awakened in Gangdong District.]
The smiling goblin's eyes met mine.
That bastard…?
[Ah, I can practically hear your sighs all the way from here. I even see some of you already trying to flee Gangdong District. Haha, everyone—please listen until the end. If you run away now, you will definitely regret it later. Because this 'Calamity' will, without a doubt, become an opportunity for you.]
The goblin continued in a smooth, practiced voice.
[Haven't you all been struggling to gather coins until now? I know. One day, your lives collapsed overnight. Strange creatures started extorting coins from you. People who were your friends just yesterday suddenly began swinging knives at you. You thought, "Well, at least I don't have to go to work anymore," only to find—surprise!—now even the stars in the sky are talking to you. "Hey, shake your ass a bit. I'll give you 100 coins."]
[A small number of constellations snicker.]
But the goblin didn't laugh.
[That fucking sense of disgust you're all feeling—I understand it too. The despair of thinking, "To hell with it. The world's already ruined, so I'll at least live my own way," only to realize that this world is already divided into those who will make it and those who won't. The sense of defeat when you realize that the constellation you barely managed to obtain by shaking your ass isn't as good as the one attached to someone who was talented from the start. Your anger at this unfair world—I know it well.]
[Several constellations protest the goblin's speech.]
Judging by the way he spoke, this goblin was no ordinary one.
A low-rank goblin with weak nerves could never pull something like this off. They knew that even slight backlash from the constellations could destroy their channel.
But that only applied to small channels.
Goblins with major channels played by different rules.
They understood the laws of storytelling.
Sucking up to subscriber constellations and catering only to niche tastes could never carry a truly grand story.
A true storyteller doesn't deal with an 'audience'—he deals with 'characters.'
I carefully observed the goblin as he continued his speech.
[And so, for people like you, I have prepared something special. A chance for you—those who have been unlucky, cursed with bad fortune, and branded as "failures" for not trying hard enough—to become "successes" overnight!]
A sharp single horn protruded from his crown. From beneath his pure white cape, a single leg extended—perfectly mirroring the horn above.
Wait. Don't tell me that bastard is—
Dokja (One-Leg)?
At that moment, a massive screen appeared in midair. On it was a bloodied boy, running desperately for his life.
[Now then, this boy you're looking at is nothing less than a walking SSS-rank item! There's not a single part of him that can't be used—from head to toe. His name is 'Myung Ilsang.' A lucky bastard who was chosen by the Star Stream and traveled to another world. You've all imagined it at least once, haven't you? Suddenly being summoned to another dimension, gaining overwhelming power, spending passionate nights with a cute elf girlfriend, saving the world, and being hailed as a hero! Yes. This damn bastard is the 'Calamity' you'll be hunting today.]
I knew something felt off.
It was strange that low-rank goblins had filled the positions of the missing mid-rank ones—but with a major-channel goblin like this, it all made sense.
[I can already hear your complaints. "How the hell are we supposed to kill someone wrapped head-to-toe in SSS ranks?" Haha, don't worry. He's currently under a penalty. His power is sealed. He's strong, yes—but if you all gang up on him, he's nothing more than a treasure vault waiting to be looted.]
"…That guy's creepy as hell," Han Sooyoung muttered, clicking her tongue.
As a writer, she had already grasped the goblin's intent.
If you call a 'Calamity' a calamity, no one comes.
But if you call it a glorified 'treasure vault'?
[Your lives aren't over yet. In fact, you're incredibly lucky. This 'sub-scenario' I'm about to provide will become the perfect stepping stone to turn your lives around. Now! This opportunity lasts for today only! Move immediately! Only those who move faster than others will become the owners of the 'SSS-rank item'!]
Soon, incarnations scattered across Seoul would hear that voice and begin converging on Gangdong District.
[The sub-scenario has been updated.]
< Sub-Scenario — SSS-Rank Hunt >
Type: SubDifficulty: B ~ ???
Clear Condition: Eliminate the SSS-rank Hero 'Myung Ilsang.'Time Limit: None
Reward: 50,000 coins, ???
Failure: Destruction of the Seoul Dome
The worst possible scenario had begun.
Perhaps because of the blood-red glow of the 'Failure' condition hanging in the air, the unprecedentedly massive rewards looked pitiful by comparison.
"We have to find him fast. Before everyone dies."
"…Is this guy seriously allowed to pull something like this without breaking narrative plausibility?"
"Plausibility gets partially nullified the moment a majority of constellations think it'll be fun."
That was why goblins favored provocative scenarios.
Stories desired by many constellations became self-justifying.
Of course, if it failed, the backlash would fall entirely on the goblin—but in a case like this, that wasn't an issue.
[A significant number of constellations' eyes light up.]
If things went according to Dokja's plan, Seoul would be wiped out before the fifth scenario even began.
Han Sooyoung immediately poured all her mana into summoning avatars. About five minutes later—
"Found him. Two kilometers northwest from here!"
I ran along the road with Han Sooyoung's main body. Soon, murmuring voices reached our ears.
"There! He's over there!"
"That's the bastard who went to another world!"
A crowd had already gathered. And Myung Ilsang—was standing in the middle of them, surrounded, smiling cheerfully.
"Uh… yes. That would be me."
"Lucky bastard! Bet you had a great time over there!"
"I did have quite a few fun experiences…"
"You fucking jealous-making prick—hey! Everyone, kill him!"
It was unsettling to realize just how many people were drowning in inferiority.
Dodging several blades slicing through the air, Myung Ilsang asked calmly,
"If you're that jealous, should I send you there too?"
"What? We can go too?"
"Of course. Naturally. You really want to go, right?"
"If we can go, hell yeah! Anything's better than this fucked-up world—"
Nodding, Myung Ilsang extended his right arm toward the crowd.
[The eighth seal of the returnee 'Myung Ilsang' has been released.]
[The ninth seal of the returnee 'Myung Ilsang' has been released.]
...
"Then, have a safe trip. I'm not sure it'll be better than here, though."
"What?"
[The twelfth seal of the returnee 'Myung Ilsang' has been released.]
[The thirteenth seal of the returnee 'Myung Ilsang' has been released.]
[The fourteenth seal of the returnee 'Myung Ilsang' has been released.]
...
As I stared at the endless messages floating up, a thin sense of despair crept in.
It was already too late.
"Because I already destroyed that place."
[Returnee 'Myung Ilsang' activates 'Medium Black Flame Cannon Lv.3'!]
I grabbed Han Sooyoung and hurled us behind a building.
A violet flash overturned the forest of buildings. Five or six skyscrapers were partially obliterated, and an entire street vanished. The people who had been charging toward him were disintegrated—without even leaving behind bone dust.
A being capable of becoming a 'Calamity' all on its own.
That was the true power of a 'Returnee.'
Han Sooyoung, who was beside me, collapsed weakly to the ground.
"…This is insane. How are we supposed to beat that?"
This was real fear. Fear that made your body tremble even without any mental-type skills. I spoke as if resisting it.
"We can win."
"Stop talking bullshit and let's get out of here. We can't beat that thing. Ever."
"No. We can kill him. And if we do it now, the rewards will be even better."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' activates 'Lie Detection Lv.2'.]
[Han Sooyoung has confirmed that the statement is true.]
Han Sooyoung's eyes widened.
"…You're serious? You were acting like it was absolutely impossible just a moment ago."
"Do you think people live their lives with only one thought in their heads?"
Only half of what I said was true.
My original plan had been to defeat the strengthened 'Calamity of Questions' and build a second myth.
The problem was that my plan assumed I had already learned [Path of the Wind].
"Anyone else want to go to another world? Raise your hand! I'll send you there!"
Screams rang out as people fled in panic.
Myung Ilsang's presence was drawing closer.
A translucent window appeared, and Yoo Joonghyuk's voice echoed in my head.
—If you fight him head-on, you have no chance of winning.
—I know. But I still have to try.
—Why did you let things get this far?
—What?
—You had chances. If you had killed Lee Seolhwa. Or if you had joined forces with Lycaon and killed Antinus, you could have stopped the calamity.
I could have made excuses if I wanted to.
I hadn't killed Lee Seolhwa because of Yoo Joonghyuk, and I hadn't joined Lycaon because I never found an opening to intervene.
—I'm not a regressor like you. If I fail, that's the end. I have no choice but to be careful. I have to think things through again and again until the very end—
—Careful? Don't get arrogant. Do you think you're a constellation? Just because you know a bit about the future doesn't mean you can control everything.
It felt like someone had punched me hard in the solar plexus.
Ridiculously enough, it was because part of what Yoo Joonghyuk said was true.
[Exclusive Skill, 'The Fourth Wall' is active.]
The arrogance of knowing the original story. The belief that even if the narrative twisted, I could always find a way out.
Maybe that was what had led things to this point.
—Then why don't you fight, since you're so amazing? Instead of trusting a hopeless case like me.
—Don't use lack of talent as an excuse. You don't need [Path of the Wind] to win.
—I do need it.
For a moment, Yoo Joonghyuk fell silent. Just as I was about to snap back at his contemptuous silence, his voice came again.
—My trait is 'Pro Gamer.' What's yours?
—What?
—I'm asking what you're good at.
…What I'm good at?
Some corner of my deep subconscious itched, like I was missing something important. But there was no time to think.
"Found you! Someone who hasn't left yet."
Myung Ilsang's face popped out from around the corner like a horror movie jump scare.
Han Sooyoung let out a groan, and I stepped back.
"…Huh? Aren't you the Hunter Association people from earlier?"
Myung Ilsang walked toward us with a smile.
"Perfect. I actually wanted to meet you. You know you completely ruined my amazing debut plan, right?"
"..."
"I was planning to live a good life, you know? Kill some tyrannical S-rank incarnations, wipe out some bad groups, love pretty noona—then look at this. I've turned into a full-blown villain. What are you going to do about that?"
Instead of answering, I tightened my grip on my sword.
[Stigma, 'Song of the Sword Lv.1' has been activated!]
[A verse left behind by Admiral Yi Sun-sin settles into your blade.]
"Today, I truly steel myself for death. I pray to the heavens that I may surely annihilate the enemy."
The words of Admiral Yi recorded in the Baeksa Collection.
Thankfully, this time, the Admiral was on my side.
[The stigma 'Song of the Sword' takes effect!]
[The resolve of one facing death increases your combat power.]
I wrung every last drop of mana from my body.
['Blade of Conviction' has been activated!]
The Blade of Conviction swelled as if it might burst.
I charged straight at him.
KRAAANG!
Myung Ilsang casually knocked away the Blade of Conviction with his hand.
A pain shot through me as if my grip were about to shatter. We had exchanged only a single blow, but it was enough.
Myung Ilsang's overall stats had already far surpassed the scenario's restriction limits.
"What, you're fighting? For real? Didn't you just see me fight?"
Looking at that smile, I clenched my teeth and recalled the pages of Ways of Destruction.
What I was good at.
That was—reading.
[Exclusive Skill 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' Level 1 has been activated!]
And then, his movements began to speak to me.
「Right shoulder」
Pshhht!
「Left thigh」
Crunch!
Even after reading them, there were strikes I couldn't block or dodge.
His fists, wrapped in violet energy, rained down on me without mercy.
「Stomach, stomach, stomach, stomach, stomach, stomach.」
Blood burst from my mouth, and my vision wavered violently.
But I didn't give up.
I thought.And thought again.
[Character 'Myung Ilsang' admires your tenacity.]
[Your understanding of 'Myung Ilsang' has increased.]
With only the information contained in Ways of Destruction, I couldn't beat him. This was different from hunting the [Watcher of Darkness]. I couldn't calculate everything and fight.
「Strong–weak–medium–weak–strong–medium–weak」
As the barrage of blows continued, too much information flooded in at once, and the dizziness slowly worsened. Even borrowing the power of a stigma, it was this bad. At this rate, the fight would be decided in an instant.
I wiped the blood from my mouth and staggered backward.
…In the end, do I have to use [Indirect Support]?
The fact that my final option was borrowing a constellation's power left a bitter taste in my mouth. With the protection of a powerful historical-grade figure, or the protection of the Big Dipper, I could probably win.
But after the last incident, there was the burden of plausibility—and more than anything, I didn't want to owe the constellations.
Damn it. If only I had talent of my own.
I almost wished I could steal someone else's talent instead.
…Huh?Wait. Steal?
A dull impact rippled through my mind.
Until now, my main weapon had been 'information.'
But because there was too much information, I had forgotten something essential.
How pathetic .Why had I forgotten that skill?
Shouldn't that have been the first thing I tried?
[Exclusive Skill, 'Bookmark' has been activated.]
['Character Bookmark' has been enabled.]
[Available bookmark slots: 4]
[Loading the list of bookmarks that can be activated.]
Kim Namwoon, the Delusional Demon (Understanding: 35)
Lee Hyunsung, the Steel Sword Emperor (Understanding: 75)
Cheon Inho, the Agitator (Understanding: 20)
Empty Slot
Aside from one additional slot, nothing seemed to have changed.
I selected the empty slot.
Lee Seolhwa, the Poison Witch (Understanding: 10)
Min Jiwon, the Mad Beauty King (Understanding: 25)
Jung Yonghu, the Tyrant King (Understanding: 10)
Han Donghoon, the Reclusive Shut-in (Understanding: 30)
Anna Croft, the Prophet (Understanding: 1)
Gong Pildu, the Armed Fortress Lord (Understanding: 30)...
As expected, Yoo Joonghyuk's name wasn't on the list.
He was the protagonist, after all. Maybe there were special conditions required.
Other beings who weren't considered proper 'characters'—like Han Sooyoung, Yoo Sangah, or Lee Gilyoung—also didn't appear.
It didn't matter.
They weren't who I needed right now.
After scrolling for a while, I finally found the person I was looking for.
So he really was there.
How had I forgotten that he, too, was a 'character'?
Without hesitation, I placed him into the fourth bookmark slot.
[Activation time is determined by the level of the Bookmark skill.]
[Activation time: 30 minutes]
[You have a high level of understanding of this character. You may select some of this character's skills to acquire.]
I chose the skill.
And in the next moment, a silver storm surged through my body.
I could feel the valiant ferocity of a mighty wolf taking root within me.
Damn it—I was an idiot.
Why had I been trying to learn this all along?
I wasn't a regressor or a returnee.
[Character 'Lycaon, Prince of Imyuntar' has been registered in Bookmark Slot 4.]
[Bookmark Slot 4 has been activated.]
I am a reader.
[「Path of the Wind Lv.8」 has been activated.]
And this—
This is how I fight.