WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: smol_anon

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 11: Episode 2 - Protagonist (5)

The sight of a grown man dangling like a monkey, with his collar grabbed, would have looked pretty ridiculous to anyone watching.

I could see the group looking over from the other side of the even-numbered bridge. Their faces were anxious, but they had no idea what was happening here. That was because of the safety barrier. I could see them, but they couldn't see me.

"Name."

"What?"

"Say your name."

What a rude way to talk, just like you'd expect from the protagonist. But provoking him here wouldn't be a good idea.

"Kim Dokja."

"That's a weird name."

"I get that a lot."

Suddenly, I felt my stomach cave in and churn. Before I could process it, Junghyeok’s fist had buried itself into my abdomen.

"...Ugh."

Even with skin that could deflect a knife, his attack still hurt.

"You’ve got a tough body. Looks like you've already figured out how to use coins?"

"You’re not much different…"

Thud, another punch hit my stomach, making my gut churn. I barely managed to swallow the groan that was rising.

This bastard’s strength level was at least 15, minimum. We were only through the first main and one sub-scenario, yet he was already this strong. It’s true that natural-born monsters are on a different level.

"Stop with the useless answers. From now on, only answer my questions. Got it?"

I didn’t respond. I had thought this situation might happen, but it was the worst-case scenario, one I had hoped to avoid.

In the early stages, Yu Junghyeok was more threatening than anyone else.

Having experienced three regressions, his personality was worn down. To maintain his inflated sense of self, he had shaved away his own principles. Junghyeok never hesitated or faltered in pursuit of his goal.

"Answer me."

"...Fine."

"Speak respectfully."

"I don't want to."

This time, I raised both hands to block his fist. The pain made it feel like my bones were shattering, but I managed to soften the blow. Junghyeok’s eyes widened, looking slightly surprised.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is now wary of you.]

Like I care. No matter how much of a protagonist you are, I'm not just going to sit here and get hit.

"Sorry to break it to you, but I’m older than you, pro-gamer Yu Junghyeok. So if anyone should be using honorifics, it’s you."

"...You know who I am?"

"Of course. I work at a game company, after all."

That was a lie. Even if I did work at a game company, I wouldn’t know the name of every pro-gamer. Up until recently, "Yu Junghyeok" had only been a character in a novel to me.

"You’re famous. I was a fan once."

The "famous" part was just part of the novel’s setting. Still, it wasn’t a lie that I had been a fan.

I liked Yu Junghyeok. I hated him. I resented him, and I cheered for him.

For 3,000 chapters, I had gone through it all with Yu Junghyeok.

"A fan, huh? It’s been a while since I heard that."

For a brief moment, Junghyeok’s eyes reflected a hint of nostalgia. But only for a moment.

"Your arrogance is forgiven, but your situation won’t change."

"Looking at me, it sure doesn’t seem like it."

I glanced down at my legs, dangling in the empty air like the tail of a kite.

"There’s only one thing I want to ask."

"Go ahead."

"How did you survive in the subway?"

So that’s what he was after.

"Will you spare me if I tell you?"

"Depends on your answer."

Lies. His face gave it away. I wasn’t the only reader of TWSA for nothing. My mind ran through countless possible responses, simulating how to persuade this damned regressor.

[Your understanding of the character Yu Junghyeok has increased.]

[Your understanding of this figure is already exceptionally high.]

...Huh?

[You have met the conditions to activate the exclusive skill Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Stage 2.]

[Would you like to activate the exclusive skill?]

A moment later, I could read someone’s thoughts as they flowed through my mind like a waterfall.

「The only ones who should have survived in that carriage were Lee Hyeonseong and Kim Namwoon.」

「But Kim Namwoon is dead, and others survived.」

「How did they survive?」

「What is this guy?」

「I’ll extract information. And if I find anything suspicious... I’ll kill him.」

The thoughts came and went in an intense rush. Despite the danger, I couldn't stop a smirk from creeping up.

Only five minutes remained until the scenario ended.

I began to tell the story. It was as brief, concise, and factual as possible. From the moment the first dokkaebi appeared in the subway, to the end of the first scenario. Naturally, I left out any mention of the skills I had gained or any critical details.

"...You cleared the scenario by killing an insect?"

"Guess I got lucky."

Junghyeok looked so shocked that he seemed to have forgotten his mouth was hanging open.

「The future has completely changed.」

It made sense he was shocked.

Originally, the people in carriage 3807 were supposed to go through a brutal battle royale, with only Hyeonseong and Namwoon surviving.

"You have sharp eyes. How did you figure out there was an insect in the carriage?"

A glint of killing intent flickered in Junghyeok’s eyes as his thoughts passed by.

「Could this guy be a regressor too?」

「If so, I’ll kill him immediately.」

I quickly opened my mouth, trying to clear up his misunderstanding.

"There was an explosion."

"An explosion?"

"I found the insect because of the explosion in the next car."

Junghyeok’s body stiffened slightly at the mention of the “next car.”

"Explain it clearly."

"During the explosion, a child suddenly fell and dropped their collection jar. I just happened to pick it up."

"...That sounds suspicious."

"Coincidences always do. If you don’t believe me, ask the people beyond the barrier. The one who dropped the jar is standing right there."

I gestured toward the group looking at us from beyond the barrier leading toward Oksu Station. Since the scenario hadn’t ended, they couldn’t approach or speak to us.

Junghyeok glanced in their direction but made no move to investigate. For a moment, my vision blurred as memories I assumed belonged to Junghyeok flashed before my eyes.

「I see.」

「The explosion.」

「This guy isn’t a regressor.」

「The future didn’t change because of him. It changed because of… me.」

Scenes of people dying in a massive explosion flashed by, with Yu Junghyeok watching the devastation with an expressionless face.

「Unlike the last round, I killed them all from the start.」

Thanks to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, I could feel the mental torment Junghyeok was experiencing.

"Are the questions over now?"

"...Yes."

"Then, can you let go of me? Let’s head to Oksu together. We don’t have much time left to clear the scenario."

"That won’t work."

But the protagonist didn’t get to be the protagonist for nothing.

"Everything fits together too perfectly."

I had never met a protagonist as cautious as Yu Junghyeok.

「There’s no way a beginner could remain so calm.」

「He’s adapting abnormally well to the changed world.」

「He’s probably the one who killed Kim Namwoon.」

「He’s more than just useful… he’s dangerous.」

Junghyeok’s right eye gleamed with a golden light. I realized what he was about to do. Honestly, it was strange that he hadn’t already used that on me.

The Sage’s Eye.

Yu Junghyeok’s strongest detection skill. An SS-grade skill that not only revealed the target’s attribute window but also uncovered any hidden information. Once he activated that skill, my identity would inevitably be exposed. Part of me even welcomed it.

I didn’t yet know what my ‘attribute’ and ‘skill list’ were. If Junghyeok discovered my information, I could use the opportunity to learn more about myself. And who knows? Maybe the knowledge would help me survive this situation.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall has been activated!]

[The Fourth Wall transcends the detection skill Sage’s Eye!]

There was a crackle in the air, and Junghyeok staggered slightly.

「...What?」

Yu Junghyeok clutched his right eye, looking at me with a baffled expression.

"You... what are you?"

Honestly, I was just as curious about that as he was.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall has blocked Sage’s Eye.]

I hadn’t expected to have a skill that could counter the Sage’s Eye. First Bookmark, and now Fourth Wall. Things were becoming complicated. Yu Junghyeok wasn’t going to trust me now.

「I’ll have to kill him here.」

After all, Yu Junghyeok wasn’t the type of person to trust what he couldn’t understand.

"Yu Junghyeok."

If that was the case, I had to change tactics.

"You need a trustworthy companion."

"...What are you talking about?"

"You can’t clear the 46th scenario alone. You know that, don’t you?"

Junghyeok’s eyes narrowed.

"How do you know that? You really are—"

"It doesn’t matter who I am."

I looked straight into Junghyeok’s dark, probing eyes.

"What matters is that I can help you."

「He’s not a regressor. If he were, I’d know.」

「Then, what is he?」

「...Could it be?」

In this situation where I couldn’t hide my cards, and I couldn’t play my best hand, there was only one thing left to do.

I had to play a hand that would mislead him.

"Yu Junghyeok, I know about ‘the future you don’t know.’"

[The character Yu Junghyeok has activated the skill Lie Detection.]

[Lie Detection has confirmed that your statement is true.]

Yu Junghyeok’s eyes widened.

"...How?"

“Don’t you already know how?”

「That can’t be. Is there another prophet besides Anna Croft? One in Korea?」

A prophet.

In TWSA, it was a unique attribute that allowed someone to see the future. The only attribute capable of passively neutralizing detection skills.

There was, indeed, a character with the Prophet attribute in TWSA.

"Are you able to use Foresight?"

"It’s something similar."

"You knew I would come here, didn’t you?"

"That’s right."

「I see. If he’s a prophet, everything makes sense.」

The atmosphere was shifting. I could feel the subtle shift in Yu Junghyeok’s emotions. This was my chance.

"Yu Junghyeok, I know you have a special power. You also know what the future holds, right?"

"..."

"But you also know that your knowledge is incomplete."

A regressor’s greatest weakness.

Once they used their knowledge of the future to change the present, the future itself would also change. All regressors would eventually reach a point where they had to live in a world they didn’t know.

"Make me your companion. I can fill in the gaps in your knowledge."

At this point in time, nothing was more appealing to Junghyeok than a prophet as a companion. In truth, even though I wasn’t technically a prophet, I could play a similar role. After all, I was the only reader of this story.

[1 minute remaining until the scenario ends.]

Junghyeok lowered his head, deep in thought.

「A prophet would certainly be useful.」

[50 seconds remaining until the scenario ends.]

「Not just for the 46th scenario, but also when I face ‘Zarathustra’ and the others. But... can I trust him?」

[40 seconds remaining until the scenario ends.]

「A companion.」

Finally, Junghyeok looked up, just as I anxiously glanced at the countdown clock.

"I’ve made my decision. I’ll accept you as my companion."

[Due to excessive immersion, your mental strength has been significantly drained.]

[The exclusive skill Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint has been deactivated.]

I didn’t know whether it was due to exhaustion or relief, but at that moment, my exclusive skill was cut off. Suddenly, Junghyeok’s face, devoid of any expression, looked as unreadable as an ancient text.

Junghyeok began crossing the even-numbered bridge, dragging me along by the collar. Even though he still held onto me, it seemed like things were finally going well. I had convinced this damned regressor. I was proud of myself.

But just as we were about to cross the bridge completely, with the safety zone in sight, Yu Junghyeok abruptly stopped walking.

"Let me ask you one last thing."

"What is it?"

"If you really are a prophet, then you should know about your own future, shouldn’t you?"

Looking into Junghyeok’s calm eyes sent a chill down my spine.

His test wasn’t over yet. His grip around my neck tightened, cutting off my breath.

"Guh."

Slowly, Junghyeok raised me higher. The wind brushed against my legs, which now dangled over empty air. Below, the Sea Commander leaped from the Han River, its gaping mouth awaiting me like prey.

"What do you think? Will I let go of you, or not?"

For the first time, cold sweat ran down my back. I had to think. I didn’t need Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint to know this bastard better than anyone else. Closing my eyes, I conjured the image of the Yu Junghyeok I knew.

[20 seconds remaining until the scenario ends.]

I came to a conclusion.

"Junghyeok."

If it’s you, then you’ll definitely do it. No matter how I think about it, the Yu Junghyeok I know would do nothing else. Looking at the Sea Commander drawing closer through the water, I finally spoke.

"First, let me tell you two things."

"...What?"

"One, I’m not your underling. So from now on, treat me like an equal."

"..."

"Two, if I’m going to cooperate with you, you need to promise to cooperate with me as well."

Junghyeok looked at me with interest and nodded.

"Alright, so what’s your answer?"

I grinned and said,

"Let go already, you fucking bastard."

And the next moment, the force holding me vanished. The strength of gravity was terrifying.

Even as I plummeted, I could still see Junghyeok’s face. He was smiling, a radiant smile, as if something had deeply pleased him.

That bastard.

"I believe you now. You really are a prophet."

Below, the massive maw of the Sea Commander awaited me, and I plunged into the freezing Han River. As I took in a sharp breath, warm darkness swallowed me whole.

[You have failed to clear the scenario.]

Footnotes:

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