WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 100: Episode 20 — The Catastrophe of Floods (3)

Bright lights flickered across the sky and spread out over Seoul.

Some of the light beams shot north, others west. But most of them didn’t scatter far. Instead, they converged toward the heart of Seoul, a clear sign that the incarnations were gathering in preparation for the scenario.

“Finally, a contract! I’m going to sign a contract too!”

Excited voices echoed from nearby as other incarnations began preparing. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t yet secured a patron constellation. Soon, small stars began to appear over the heads of the Incarnations. The number of stars indicated how many constellations were interested in each Incarnation.

+

<Patron Selection>

― Choose your patron.

― The selected patron will become your steadfast supporter.

+

At this moment, every uncontracted Incarnation was likely witnessing the same scene—or perhaps something slightly different.

1. Prisoner of the Golden Headband

2. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon

3. Secretive Plotter

As expected, both the Prisoner of the Golden Headband and the Secretive Plotter were here again. I felt a twinge of guilt about rejecting them repeatedly, but I had no choice.

...Why does this Abyssal Black Flame Dragon keep showing up? Shouldn’t it be bothering Han Suyeong instead of me?

4. One-Stroke Scholar

5. Bald Army General

6. Great King Heungmu

Even Korean historical figures were lining up now.

The One-Stroke Scholar was probably Ryu Seongryong[1]. Ah, and there’s our Great Monk Samyeong and General Kim Yusin too. Do they really think I’ll pick them?

The list went on.

21. Goryeo’s Top Swordsman

22. God of Wine and Ecstasy

The Goryeo Swordmaster must refer to the one hailed as the greatest swordsman of Goryeo. And Dionysus[2]... so Olympus was now joining the "Kim Dokja Sweepstakes."

As the list continued to grow, I began feeling increasingly bewildered. Some of these Constellations were entirely unexpected.

48. Black Light of Guidance

49. Scribe of Heaven

50. Ruler of Vengeance and Apocalypse

I didn’t remember all the flowery titles, so I couldn’t quite place the Black Light of Guidance or the Ruler of Vengeance and Apocalypse.

But the Scribe of Heaven was unmistakable.

That one was none other than Archangel Metatron[3], one of the most powerful constellations aligned with Absolute Good. In terms of celestial authority, Metatron ranked higher than Uriel. Universally acknowledged as the second-in-command of the heavens. Damn it, who the hell is keeping tabs on me?

When I glanced up, I was greeted by the sight of hundreds of stars, forming a breathtaking spectacle above my head. The dazzling brightness could have lit up the entire night. A few Incarnations nearby were staring at me in stunned silence.

“What the...”

“Who the hell is that guy?”

Even Yuseong, who was gaping at the stars above me, muttered, “Ahjussi, you look like a Christmas tree.”

[The constellations favoring the Korean Peninsula demand that you uphold your promise.]

[Several constellations wish to test your sincerity.]

And finally, the moment arrived.

I took a deep breath and called out to Bihyeong.

‘Bihyeong.’

―What?

‘What’s the count now?’

While dealing with Dokgak, I had made a public promise to the Constellations: if Bihyeong’s channel reached 10,000 subscribers by the day of patron selection, I would choose a Patron.

―9,812... No, 14... 16.

The number of subscribers continued to rise. Even Bihyeong sounded tense.

[3 minutes remain until the conclusion of patron selection.]

The result would be determined within three minutes.

[The constellation Bald Army General stares at you anxiously.]

I wanted to tell him there was no use in looking at me so desperately.

[2 minutes remain until the conclusion of patron selection.]

[The constellation Bald Army General has gifted 200 coins to you.]

[The constellation One-Stroke Scholar has gifted 300 coins to you.]

[The constellation Great King Heungmu has gifted 400 coins to you.]

The donation competition had begun.

From the constellations’ perspective, standing out to me, even a little, was a natural tactic.

[Several fabled constellations click their tongues at the pettiness of the historical constellations.]

[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband has gifted 5,000 coins to you.]

Just as I had hoped. Perfect. Keep them coming.

[The constellation Scribe of Heaven has gifted 30,000 coins to you.]

...Of course. It’s Metatron. His donations were on another level entirely.

Being a celestial figure known as the Chancellor of Heaven, this was to be expected.

[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband glares at the Scribe of Heaven.]

[1 minute remains until the conclusion of patron selection.]

I asked Bihyeong again.

‘What’s the count now?’

―9,973... 76, 77.

It was coming down to the wire.

―9,981... 84.

30 seconds.

―9,993.

20 seconds.

―9,998.

[Several Constellations hold their breaths in anticipation.]

10 seconds.

― 9,999...

5, 4, 3...

[The Patron Selection has concluded.]

I let out a small sigh. When I looked at Bihyeong, he smirked and spoke up.

[How unfortunate, everyone.]

[Several constellations scream in disbelief!]

It didn’t matter how much they protested.

[Current subscriber count: 9,999.]

The screen Bihyeong projected into the air was the unchangeable truth.

Some Incarnations who saw it stood with their jaws agape.

Yuseong asked, “Ahjussi, are you some kind of star YouTuber?”

Maybe I was, in a way.

In a deliberately casual voice, I addressed the sky.

“Too bad. If it had reached 10,000, I was ready to choose immediately.”

[Several constellations are curious about who you were going to choose.]

Bihyeong intervened.

[For the privacy of this incarnation, we cannot reveal that information.]

Well done, Bihyeong.

[Many constellations are rioting in outrage!]

The sky above Yongsan District rippled with distortion as thunderclaps and lightning bolts rained down indiscriminately on the people below. Sparks crackled in the air as the constellations vented their frustration. Their anger was so intense that it began affecting the plausibility, distorting reality itself.

[Constellations, please calm down. It’s unfortunate, but since the event was voided by just one subscriber, there’s no point dwelling on it...]

Bihyeong glanced at me nervously before continuing.

[As an apology, we’ll host a compensation event.]

At that, the bolts of lightning momentarily ceased.

[You’re probably all thinking the same thing right now: “What’s the use of having an incarnation I can’t even claim?”]

[Many constellations are listening attentively to dokkaebi Bihyeong’s words.]

[So! To address those sentiments, I propose we punish this incarnation for refusing to choose a patron during the second patron selection. Of course, this will only happen with your consent...]

[The majority of constellations fervently agree with dokkaebi Bihyeong’s proposal!]

Satisfied, Bihyeong nodded. Yuseong stared at me incredulously.

“Ahjussi, why didn’t you pick a patron?”

“I just didn’t feel like it.”

Truthfully, I had wavered slightly when Metatron appeared, but choosing anyone now would render everything I had worked for meaningless. I couldn’t serve under anyone. I had to remain independent.

“Sangah-ssi. Take the kids and hide.”

“...You have a plan, don’t you?”

“Of course. But don’t come out until I signal.”

[A new bounty scenario has arrived.]

[You have been marked as the target of a bounty scenario.]

As expected, the bounty scenario began.

+

<Bounty scenario – Divine Punishment>

Category: Bounty

Difficulty: A

Clear conditions: Tear the incarnation Kim Dokja apart. The more brutal the death, the higher the coin reward.

Time limit: 20 minutes

Rewards: 40,000 ~ ????? coins

Penalty for failure: ―

+

A bounty of at least 40,000 coins to take me down? If someone saw this, they might think I was the fifth calamity. Yuseong’s face went pale after reading the scenario.

“...Ahjussi?”

Sangah pulled her back before she could reach for me. Almost immediately, incarnations from all directions converged, their eyes glinting with murderous intent.

Above me, a large target symbol was now floating.

“Holy shit... 40,000 coins?”

“Get that bastard!”

[Many constellations are thrilled by the unfolding scenario.]

The same constellations who had been enraged by my decision were now gleefully watching me being hunted like a rat.

This was their true nature.

As I fled, Bihyeong contacted me with a resigned expression.

―I really didn’t think it’d come to this.

‘I knew it would. It’s a trick I used often in my game development days.’

The only way to pacify angry players was to give them a new event. Muttering to himself, Bihyeong whispered.

―You sure this will work? If it gets exposed... Damn it, this time it’s really going to trigger a Plausibility Judgement on me.

In truth, Bihyeong’s subscriber count never actually reached 10,000. It was a deliberate manipulation of his channel, which had always been capped at 9,999.

If Dokgak decided to raise an issue, there’d be no way out of this. But fortunately, none of the lower-grade Dokkaebis dared to challenge me after the previous incident.

‘We agreed to take the risk, didn’t we?’

Still, the danger was real. Some of the more perceptive constellations might start suspecting something. After all, stopping at exactly 9,999 was too convenient. That’s why the diversionary event, the Divine Punishment, was necessary. Constellations hated complications but couldn’t resist amusement. This event was crafted for that.

Bihyeong smirked and made his announcement.

[Constellations, note that the Divine Punishment event allows you to impose penalties on the incarnation Kim Dokja through your donations.]

No sooner had he finished speaking than I felt my body grow significantly heavier.

[An egotistical constellation has imposed a speed penalty on you.]

[You have been gifted 500 coins.]

The more coins I received, the more penalties were heaped upon me. Incarnations who normally wouldn’t have been able to keep up were now closing the distance.

“They’re really blinded by greed, aren’t they?”

I grinned and swung the Blade of Faith behind me.

“Kuwaaah!”

[A constellation wishing for your misfortune has imposed an attack power penalty on you.]

[You have been gifted 500 coins.]

My attack power had been halved. Though it caused the pursuing incarnations to hesitate, none of them died. That was just as well, I had no intention of killing them.

[A constellation yearning for your death has imposed a defense penalty on you.]

[You have been gifted 500 coins.]

Damn donations. A dagger sliced into my right arm, sending a wave of intense pain. If not for my Infinite Dimensional Subspace Coat, I might have lost the arm entirely.

[A few constellations feel sympathy for your plight.]

At least a handful of constellations were rooting for me. That was a relief.

Clutching my injured arm, I sprinted toward the southwest side of Yongsan District. If my guess was correct, the meteor that housed the Catastrophe of Floods was in that direction.

The aura of an impending hatching grew stronger.

[Bihyeong, what is this nonsense?]

[What nonsense? Just a little pregame entertainment.]

Overhead, the dokkaebis argued. Bihyeong, however, showed no signs of intimidation. His confidence was proof that his standing among the dokkaebis had grown.

Dragging my heavy body, I kept running.

Almost there...

Finally, the Han River came into view.

“Catch him!”

I narrowly avoided clawed hands and brutal grips as I plunged into the Han River. Knowing what lurked beneath the surface, the pursuing Incarnations hesitated.

“That lunatic!”

As if on cue, the tier-7 Sea Dragons began swarming toward me. Drawn by my weakened state, they surged forward, eager to devour me.

[Many constellations are exhilarated by the unfolding chaos.]

Staring at the approaching Sea Dragons, I reflected.

I had no innate talent. No matter how much I trained, my skill levels never rose as quickly as I wanted. But that didn’t mean I ever considered myself weak.

[You have activated the exclusive skill Bookmark.]

Because my method of becoming stronger was unlike anyone else’s.

[The Character Bookmark feature is active.]

[You have 4 available Bookmark slots.]

[Loading list of characters available for Bookmarking.]

“Release Slot 3’s Inciter Cheon Inho and assign Beast Tamer Shin Yuseong instead.”

[Bookmark 3 has been activated.]

A radiant glow enveloped me as my senses sharpened. The scents of the beasts became distinct—some familiar, others hostile. It hit me: there was an entire world close by that I had never understood.

Ultimately, the world is defined by how you perceive it.

[The active duration depends on the skill level of Bookmark.]

[Active duration: 30 minutes.]

[Due to your high level of understanding of the character, you may select specific skills.]

A nearby Sea Dragon synchronized with me, and my mind filled with intricate patterns.

[You have activated the skill Advanced Interspecies Communication Lv.3.]

[You have activated the skill Taming Lv.9.]

Blood dripped from my nose.

Ah, those kids must feel this way all the time.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“Come to me, Queen Mirvad.”

Footnotes:

[1] Ryu Seongryong (Korean: 류성룡; Hanja: 柳成龍; 7 November 1542 – May 1607), was a scholar-official of the Joseon period of Korea. He held many responsibilities, including the Chief State Councillor position in 1592. He was a member of the "Eastern faction" and a follower of Yi Hwang.

[2] Dionysus was the Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness and wild frenzy. He was depicted as either an older, bearded god or an effeminate, long-haired youth. His attributes included the thyrsos (a pine-cone tipped staff), a drinking cup and a crown of ivy.

[3] Metatron is not a figure of the Hebrew Bible, but his name appears briefly in several passages of the Talmud. His legends are predominantly found in mystical Kabbalistic texts. He is variously identified as the Prince (or Angel) of the Presence, as Michael the archangel, or as Enoch after his bodily ascent into heaven.

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