WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 103: Episode 21 — Something That Cannot Be Changed (1)
「“…Captain, what did you just say?”」
I regained my senses due to the incredulous tone of Yuseung's voice.
「“Say it again. What did you just mutter? What? A companion?”
“…”
“Are you saying that person is your companion?”」
At her voice, dripping with disbelief, Junghyeok didn’t respond.
…I was surprised too, so Yuseung’s shock must have been even greater. Who would have thought that the prideful Junghyeok would call me a ‘companion’?
「“Yes.”」
…This suddenly felt terrifying. No matter how I thought about it, there was no way that bastard would call me a ‘companion’….
Was he planning to kill me right after I resurrected?
[The constellation Naval Warfare God is moved by your camaraderie.]
[The constellation Bald Army General is shedding tears over your camaraderie.]
[You have been gifted 500 coins.]
…Now it made sense.
That bastard Junghyeok must have been aiming for sponsorship.
I found it a bit odd that Uriel, who loved camaraderie, wasn’t around, but regardless, it was undoubtedly a masterful move to attract sponsorship. The way he shouted those words so resolutely while bleeding profusely made my suspicion turn into certainty.
Considering he was only in his third regression, it wasn’t entirely impossible for him to say the word ‘companion’. After all, even in the early regressions in the original story, he’d used the term when people like Lee Hyeonseong or Lee Seolhwa had died.
Thinking about the massive amount of coins he must be receiving now made me feel bitter.
And just like that, the overwhelming emotion I had felt dissipated.
Damn it, I should have been the one to say those lines.
「“How could the captain… say something like that?”」
Of course, Yuseung, who had no idea about Junghyeok’s true motives, looked like the world had ended.
That was to be expected. Especially since the Yuseung of the 41st regression…
She had never heard the word ‘companion’ from Junghyeok until the end of that regression.
Kwakakakakang!
Yuseung’s fist collided with Yu Junghyeok’s sword.
Despite it being a clash between flesh and a weapon, the one taLord damage was Yu Junghyeok’s blade. His SS-grade sword, Sky Shaking Supreme Sword, known for its unmatched durability and strength despite lacLord special options, was now crying out in pain against Shin Yuseung’s bare fist.
Eventually, the blade of the Sky Shaking Supreme Sword bent under the impact. The indomitable sword wrapped in Sky-Splitter Qi was powerless, bowing before her.
「“How dare you… How dare you stand before me!”」
It wasn’t even a special skill. It was a strike imbued with Ether condensed to its limit. That single blow sent Junghyeok flying back, coughing up blood.
In attack, speed, and adaptability—
Yuseung outclassed Junghyeok in every aspect. Even his vaunted techniques, Phoenix Walk and Sky-Splitting Sword Art, paled in comparison to her power. The horrifying sound of flesh tearing accompanied the relentless battering of Junghyeok’s face. It wasn’t a matter of talent but of time.
Even if weakened, the Yuseung of the 41st regression was someone who had nearly reached the pinnacle of growth as the ‘Beast Lord.’ In contrast, this Junghyeok was merely in the early stages of his current regression.
「“Why would you call him a companion? Is it because he sacrificed himself for you? Just for that?”」
Veins bulged as blood surged uncontrollably. Yet Junghyeok didn’t yield. He didn’t falter and continued to swing his sword.
Why was that fool fighting? Watching him bleed from every part of his body made me feel frustrated. Shouldn’t he have fled the moment he realized the odds were against him? He’s usually so good at that; why now?
Yuseung threw another punch and spoke again.
「“Then what about me? What about the others? Jihye unni, Hyeonseong oppa, and Seolhwa unni? What were those people to you, the ones who fought for you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What?”
“I only know one thing.””
Wiping the blood from his lips, Junghyeok replied.
“You killed my companion in this regression. Therefore, you will die.”」
Damn it, this time, I felt an involuntary surge of emotion.
[Some effects of the Fourth Wall have been restricted due to excessive immersion.]
Even if it was all an act, it was convincing enough to make me want to believe it.
Yes, this is why I read Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse. I remember shedding tears when Junghyeok said similar lines to other characters in the story.
Suddenly, I felt restless.
A mere reader like me had become the ‘companion’ of the protagonist, Yu Junghyeok. Yuseung stared at him as though she had lost everything.
「“You shouldn’t do this…”」
A sinister aura began to engulf her. The emptiness turned into betrayal, and betrayal into anger.
「“You changing like this now—I won’t allow it.”」
Ether of unparalleled intensity gathered around Shin Yuseung’s fist. It was fascinating to watch her beat him senseless, but a sudden sense of crisis hit me.
[Your proficiency in the skill Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint has greatly increased due to excessive immersion.]
If this continued, Junghyeok would really die. That would be disastrous. I quickly switched the mode of ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.’
From third-person observer to first-person protagonist.
[Switching to First-Person Protagonist Viewpoint.]
[Failed to switch to First-Person Protagonist Viewpoint.]
What? Why?
[You did not meet the conditions for viewpoint switching.]
It felt like being struck in the back of the head. The conditions for using the ‘First-Person Protagonist Viewpoint’ were twofold.
First, I had to be in a disembodied state due to death.
Second, both I and the target needed to be thinking of each other at the same time.
The first condition was met, so the issue was the second. But how could that not be fulfilled in this situation?
What about all that rage and determination to avenge me?
Watching Junghyeok frantically unleashing his sword techniques, I felt a strange sense of detachment.
「“I will kill you. I will definitely kill you.”」
…Could it be that this guy wasn’t thinking about anything at all?
Yuseung, who had been silently observing him, finally spoke.
「“…I can’t let this drag on. I’ve changed my mind.”」
A devilish grin spread across her lips.
「“I will end the captain’s world in the most excruciating way possible.”」
Her gaze shifted away from Junghyeok to somewhere else. Following her line of sight, my heart sank.
Damn it, I couldn’t just stand by anymore.
Even if it wasn’t Junghyeok, I had to immerse in someone else….
At that moment, a sharp sensation pierced my mind.
An unexpected person was thinking of me.
…Could I really immerse in them? That couldn’t be true, could it?
Ah, perhaps it was because of what Junghyeok said earlier…?
Yes, maybe immersing in this individual was the better choice.
Whatever, I’ll just do what works.
I focused all my mental strength on that person. Soon, my vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness overwhelmed me.
[Switching to First-Person Protagonist Viewpoint.]
The world inverted as my consciousness was pulled elsewhere.
Companion?
The moment Yuseung heard that word, she doubted her ears.
Companion. How could such a word be possible?
Especially from Junghyeok.
Deep within her, an unease blossomed that she couldn’t comprehend. It stirred feelings she thought she’d forgotten over the course of a thousand years.
Yu Junghyeok, of all people, calling someone a companion?
She couldn’t fathom what might have happened to Junghyeok. But if what he said was true… if it was truly this regression’s Junghyeok… then maybe, just maybe….
Kwaaaang!
Unconsciously, Yuseung slammed her fist into the ground.
Pathetic.
That’s what she thought. And because she thought that….
“This is your last chance.”
She couldn’t forgive herself for having such thoughts.
“Cancel those words right now, and I’ll let you go without pain. Say it. Say that you have no companions, that you only care about yourself. Say it now.”
Despite his battered state, Junghyeok didn’t reply. One of his arms was crushed, and his leg muscles had torn. Yet his proud gaze remained unyielding.
Yuseung stared at him for a moment before grinding her teeth.
“Restrain him.”
From the [Monster Gate], Tier-6 monsters, Sulfur Mummies, emerged and moved. Their white bandages coiled around Junghyeok, stretching his limbs to their breaking point. Yuseung declared.
“I’ll kill them one by one, Captain. Right before your eyes, in the most painful way possible.”
Leaving Junghyeok bound, she turned toward the outskirts of the island.
“Kill her! She’s a disaster!”
Incarnations crawling up from the waters spotted Shin Yuseung and charged. She waved her hand from left to right, and the charging incarnations were shredded like soaked newspapers. A slaughter so swift there wasn’t even time for them to scream.
“Overwhelm them.”
At her command, monsters poured out of the [Monster Gate]. The two strongest ones flanked her as if to guard her.
Tier-5 sea creature King Masswood.
Tier-5 monster Heavy Metal Kong.
Monsters powerful enough to be considered ‘localized disasters.’ As Yuseung prepared to give her next order, a sharp attack flew toward her from the side.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
A glinting long sword. A slim skirt and a black hooded jacket. Shin Yuseung instantly recognized her. Lee Jihye’s fiery eyes were ablaze with [Demon Slaying].
“How dare you leave my master in that state?”
From Jihye’s form radiated the majesty of a historical-grade constellation. On the waters, she was unrivaled, a god of naval warfare. Yuseung recognized the stigma Jihye was preparing to invoke.
Right, this was the Han River.
“…To God, I still have…”
As Jihye recited the verse, jets of water erupted all across the river, raising a fleet of transparent ships.
“Twelve ships remaining…!”
With majestic bravado, twelve ships emerged atop the Han River’s waves. Their sheer presence was enough to make knees tremble.
The stigma of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Ghost Fleet.
Despite the fleet’s overwhelming pressure, Yuseung simply smiled nostalgically.
“…That was always your specialty, wasn’t it unni?”
“Unni? What nonsense are you spouting, you look older than me!”
“Still, it’s not enough. A captain belongs on their ship. What are you doing here?”
Before anyone could react, Shin Yuseung closed the distance and placed a hand under Lee Jihye’s chin. Her speed was unmatched.
“Poor unni. So clueless.”
“Damn it! How are you this fast…?”
Jihye tried to retreat, but she couldn’t keep up with Yuseung.
“You have no idea how Junghyeok will use and discard you, do you? You have no idea how you’ll die, do you?”
Jihye swung her blade toward Yuseung, who effortlessly caught it as she continued.
“All your life, you’ve craved Junghyeok’s acknowledgment. And you’ll die at sea, slaughtered mercilessly by the Japanese who hated your patron….”
“All units, open fire!”
At Jihye’s desperate cry, all twelve ships fired their cannons simultaneously. Watching the incoming barrage, Yuseung smirked.
“Do you know what Junghyeok said after you died?”
The shells pummeled Yuseung’s body. A deafening explosion rang out. As the smoke cleared, Yuseung stood unharmed and continued.
“He said, ‘It seems naval warfare will be a bit difficult from now on.’”
The relentless bombardment hadn’t left a single mark on her pristine white coat. Protected by her unique skill, [Beast Lord’s Sensitivity], one of the strongest defensive skills, her attire remained immaculate.
“Don’t worry, unni. That won’t happen in this regression.”
Yuseung’s smile widened.
“I’ll send you off without any pain.”
Footnotes:
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