The acid rain began to die down little by little, screams and chatter echoing from all directions. The strong, toxic smell in the air started to clear up, but the solidified black liquid remained. No... since I've confirmed that both Shadows Over Olympus and Requiem of the World in Ruins have entered our world, I'll have to call it by its original name—
Ichornite Glass.
(Ichor—divine blood, plus -ite—a rare, divine-liquid-turned-solid.)
The Ichornite Glass didn't melt, disappear, or even shift—it just stayed there. The series of tentacles writhing in the sky didn't descend, only wiggled ominously. They're a key player later... but not a threat for now.
I sighed as I stood up and stretched, but pain shot through my body. Some parts had been burned by the acid.
"Damn... that's gonna leave a mark," I muttered, inspecting the burns.
Other survivors began to crawl out from under the Ichornite Glass, emerging one by one. Some ran. Some stuck together. Others broke down beside the bodies of their loved ones.
"Why did this even happen?" I whispered, glancing around.
Although this gave me an advantage—since I've read both novels—my memory might fail me later. I need my Web Novel Book of Knowledge.
I rubbed my temples in frustration.
"Argh! This is quite vexing…" I sighed.
According to what I remember, the army should arrive any second now—but avoiding them is the real challenge.
The army from Shadows Over Olympus is usually quick to mobilize, but this is a mashup of two apocalyptic novels. Events might overlap or even contradict each other. Still, once I can grasp the pattern, it should be smooth sailing until the end...
...I think.
"Alright," I said with little enthusiasm. "I just need to make it home."
As I started walking, I suddenly remembered the little girl who had fallen asleep.
"Oh... I almost forgot her." I paused. "But should I take her with me?"
I hesitated.
"I can't. She'll drag me down. Being alone... is kind of satisfying anyway."
But I couldn't help glancing back.
She was still there, alone and quiet… just like me.
Anyway, I'm just being kind. I convinced myself.
I walked over and gently patted her shoulder.
"Hey."
She jolted upright and quickly backed away.
"Chill, I said I won't hurt you," I reassured her.
"Where are your parents?"
I already knew the answer. But one can never be too cautious.
"They're on a trip," she replied.
"When did they leave on their 'trip'?"
"Three years ago, I think… that's the estimated value," she said.
"Ahh… I see."
She's been abandoned. From the sound of it, her parents just didn't want to pay child support.
Kind of reminds me of T*ji...
"Alright, listen here. From now on, you're coming with me," I told her.
"I can't do that, Hyung… I might be a burden," she said softly.
I sighed. "You're not gonna be a burden."
"Anyway, you'll be in my care until your parents come back from their 'trip.' Any objections?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
I reached out my hand. She took it.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Nari Bomi (나리 보미)," she replied.
I blinked. "Aren't you from the States?"
"Yes, but I was raised here."
"Ahh, I see."
So that's why her name is Korean and not English.
Bodies were scattered everywhere. My stomach twisted, and my system didn't sit well. But I couldn't show weakness in front of Bomi. Even though I wanted to vomit, I forced myself to keep calm.
"Um… Hyung, what's your name?" she asked as we walked.
"Sung Young (성영)," I answered.
"Young-nim," she said politely.
"No, no, no. I want you to call me Sung-oppa," I said with a smile.
"You sound like a pervert," she chuckled.
"Wha?! I do not!" I said in a joking tone.
At least she's opening up a little.
The park, once filled with people, now looked like a graveyard. As we passed more bodies, I gently covered Bomi's eyes.
"Kids shouldn't see these things," I murmured.
After walking a few miles, we finally arrived at my apartment complex. A large slab of Ichornite Glass was leaning against the side of the building, but no one was around it.
As we approached the front entrance, I noticed it was barricaded.
"There aren't even any monsters yet," I muttered, knocking on the door.
"Who's there?" a voice called from inside.
"Hey, it's me. Sung Young."
A loud thud sounded from inside.
"What the hell is happening in there?!" I shouted.
"Don't worry, Yae. We're just removing the barricade," the voice replied.
I sighed.
The door creaked open, and Bomi and I stepped in. The lobby was brightly lit—ceiling lights, even LED strips. It almost felt normal again.
"Thank goodness you're safe, Sung-yae," said an old woman. I usually just called her Granny-ssi.
"Young-nim, what is this place?" Bomi asked.
"This is my apartment complex," I replied as we started climbing the stairs toward the third floor.
Halfway up, we ran into Suk Jung. This time, she was wearing a tracksuit instead of her usual office suit.
"Hello, Jung-ssi. You're not wearing your suit today?" I asked.
"I was out for a jog when all the chaos started," she replied.
"Um… Young-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Who's the girl next to you?"
"Oh, this is Nari Bomi. I met her earlier," I said, gesturing to Bomi.
"Nice to meet you," Bomi said politely.
"The pleasure is mine," Suk Jung replied with a soft smile.
"Well, be safe. And don't be too reckless," she added, heading down to the ground floor.
"You know I wouldn't even dare," I said as we continued upward.
Suk Jung looked great in a suit… but somehow, that tracksuit made her look even better.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing," I muttered.
"Pervert," Bomi said.
"Wha?!" I gasped.
"Oh, and Young-ssi," Suk Jung called out. "Can I come to your room later? There's something I want to discuss."
"Anytime—I mean, sure," I replied awkwardly.
Once we reached my apartment, I opened the door and let Bomi inside.
"Make yourself at home," I said, taking off my jacket and collapsing into my chair.
Bomi lay down on the bed.
I sighed. What a day.
"Window," I said aloud, and the familiar blue screen popped up.
"Requiem of the World Over Olympus"
Status
[Name: Sung Young]
[Race: X]
[Traits: Manipulation Lv. 1, Photographic Memory Lv. 1, Cerebrum Drive Lv. 1]
[Divinity: None]
[Malgrant: None]
[Blings: 0]
I hadn't had a chance to check out my new trait yet.
[Cerebrum Drive Lv. 1]
A mental trigger that briefly overclocks my brain, sharpening my focus and slowing my perception of time during tense moments. For a few seconds, I can think faster, react better, and make sharper split-second decisions—though it leaves me slightly fatigued afterward. There's a cooldown between uses, and while it doesn't make me any smarter, it does speed up how quickly I can process everything around me.
Interesting skill, if I may say. Very useful. It must've activated when I was trying to process the situation earlier. That explains how fast I was thinking.
"Wait…"
I looked at my Web Novel Book of Knowledge.
"If I open my book… will it affect my stats? Could it unlock a skill?"
I slowly approached the book, picked it up, and opened it carefully.
Nothing happened.
"What? I thought it would work—"
[Processing current skill: 99% progression]
[Complete: 100%]
My body suddenly levitated, a bright light glowing through the window.
[Singularity Unlocked: Faithless Reader (Incomplete) Lv. 1]
"It worked!" I shouted, jumping up.
But…
"What does this 'incomplete' part mean?" I muttered.
I opened the singularity description.
[Faithless Reader (Incomplete) Lv. 1]
I unlocked Faithless Reader: Incomplete (Level 1)—and with it, I'm no longer just a participant in this world… I'm a reader of it. Reality unfolds before me like an open book, and my mind, unchained by belief or consequence, can now glimpse the hidden 'scripts' woven into existence.
At this unstable level, I can passively catch omniscient glimpses—fragmented truths from people, places, or events. Sometimes, I sense their intentions, secrets, or even future outcomes… but it's random, incomplete, and fleeting.
By simply watching someone use an ability, I can temporarily mimic it. The stronger my understanding and compatibility, the more effectively I can wield what I've borrowed.
I see the world in narrative layers—structured like a story, filled with hidden logic, emotional tension, and patterns most others miss. It's like a sixth sense that lets me read between the lines of reality itself.
But this power comes with a terrifying passive—Freedom from Equivalent Exchange. I gain without cost, yet I am bound to nothing.
If I die… I'm gone. No resurrection. No reincarnation. No afterlife. I vanish—utterly and completely. Even fate itself can't save me.
I don't believe in this world's rules… and so they don't bind me. I am the Reader—unfaithful, untethered, unstoppable. But when my pages end, there will be no rewrite. Only silence. Thus, Faithless Reader
After reading it, I was frozen in place.
My hands trembled.
"Why the FUCK is this written in first person?!!!" I screamed.