Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint - Chapter 27

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 27: Episode 6 - Hour of Judgement (4)

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A few minutes later, I went back down to Dongdaeipgu Station and gnawed on Ground Rat meat. It was to heal the skin contaminated by the poisonous fog. It took some time, but contamination at this level could be cured just by eating the flesh of underground species.

―Hey! Have you lost your mind? What the hell are you doing right now?

And in my ear, I could hear Bihyeong's voice as he screamed at me.

"Be quiet."

―This isn't something that can just be overlooked! You destroyed the idol of a constellation like that! Do you want to watch this channel go under? If that Bald Army General starts spreading bad reviews...!

The idol of a constellation. There were constellations in every world, and naturally, Korea had them too.

Still, for a Korean historical figure to have the modifier Bald Army General felt a bit harsh. Then again, I wasn't exactly in a position to say that.

[A constellation wearing a robe is enraged by your atrocity.]

[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband is giggling.]

[Few constellations are impressed by your shamelessness.]

Every idol contained a sealed portion of a constellation's power, though the degree varied. If that seal was released in the proper way, an Incarnation could gain the powers that constellation had used in life, meaning an item or a skill, with a certain probability. The problem was that unsealing it took a long time, and there was no guarantee I would get the skill I wanted. I looked at the TWSA file on my smartphone.

"But the statue of Samyeong Daesa should've had a seal on it. How did you get the skill?"

"They say if you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha."

"What? Don't tell me you..."

"Haha, I only tried it as a test, and it worked. I mean, that's what statues are, right? They're all idol worship."

At the final checkpoint before entering Chungmuro, Samyeong Daesa's skill was absolutely necessary. And the surest way to obtain that skill was to destroy the idol itself. Of course, there was also the option of buying something similar from the Dokkaebi Compendium... but the more coins I saved, the better.

"Did your religious outing go well? A temple? A church?"

I quickly turned off my phone screen. Before I knew it, the others, including Jeong Huiwon, had gathered around me.

"I have something to give you all."

"What is it? If it's something like a cross, I'll pass. I'm not religious."

In front of Jeong Huiwon, who spoke jokingly, I began pulling out the items I had brought.

Luckily, Samyeong Daesa's idol had coughed up not just a skill, but items too.

[Samyeong Daesa's Prayer Beads]

[Samyeong Daesa's Robe]

A ragged robe and old prayer beads. Doubt filled the group's eyes. I could tell what they were thinking. But in this world, the shabbier something looked, the higher the odds it was actually excellent.

"They may look like this, but they're good items. They're relics of a great man."

"A great man?"

"Do you know Samyeong Daesa?"

[A constellation wearing a robe pauses at your actions.]

Jeong Huiwon asked with a blank look,

"...Who is that?"

[A constellation wearing a robe is appalled by the incarnation Jeong Huiwon.]

"Ah! I know!"

Fortunately, someone did. Needless to say, it was Yu Sangah.

"I remember seeing him when I studied for my Korean history certification. He was a monk from the mid-Joseon period, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"He fought the enemy during the Imjin War and protected the Korean Peninsula... the Battle of Nowonpyeong and the Battle of Ugwandong!"

As expected of Yu Sangah. I had studied Korean history too, but even I didn't know details like that.

[A constellation wearing a robe is touched by Yu Sangah.]

I nodded and said, "Anyway, these items contain his power."

"...Really?"

"No way, it's real!"

Jeong Huiwon and Lee Hyeongseong checked the item information and looked startled.

"Dokja-ssi, how did you know about this and manage to get them?"

"Well, I just had a feeling, so I pressed my palms together before Samyeong Daesa's statue, and these things fell from the sky."

"There's no way..."

Even I thought it sounded like ridiculous nonsense, but when people said ridiculous things, there was usually a reason. I put on a solemn expression and continued while looking at the group.

"I think Samyeong Daesa may have sent these for the sake of Korea."

"Ah..."

That single "ah" from the group contained a lot of meanings. I ignored it and continued. I wasn't saying it for them to hear anyway.

"Just as he did during the Imjin War, maybe he sent down his relics to save the country again this time. In any case, present-day Korea is going through a national crisis too."

[A constellation wearing a robe is moved by your eloquence.]

And in times of national crisis, swindlers always flourished.

"...In a world like this, I guess something like that happening wouldn't be strange. Maybe Samyeong Daesa is one of the constellations too. Right?"

Surprisingly, Yu Sangah was the first to look convinced. She was probably trying to save me from embarrassment. The funny thing was that once Yu Sangah accepted it, the simple Lee Hyeongseong immediately bought it too.

"Samyeong Daesa..."

Maybe patriotism had suddenly flared up in him, because Lee Hyeongseong looked like he might start reciting the Army Creed on the spot. Lee Gilyeong also seemed impressed.

Only Jeong Huiwon was glaring at me like I was talking nonsense.

[A constellation wearing a robe reveals its modifier.]

[The constellation Bald Army General forgives your sins.]

When I looked up at the sky as if to say, "Satisfied now?", Bihyeong was staring back in disbelief.

A constellation's power and wealth were directly linked to its fame. That was why every constellation loved having its story spread around like this. What constellation would dislike being openly praised?

"The prayer beads should go to Yu Sangah, since she knew who Samyeong Daesa was."

"Really? Is it okay for me to take them?"

"I think Samyeong Daesa would be happy if Yu Sangah-ssi used them."

In truth, Samyeong Daesa's Prayer Beads weren't that impressive for something a constellation had used. Just because a constellation had used something didn't automatically make it a constellation artifact, and the fact that Samyeong Daesa wasn't someone whose name had spread across the whole world probably played a part too.

Still, it was a B-grade item, and it had bonus effects that increased Mana recovery and strengthened resistance to evil.

Watching Yu Sangah with envy, Jeong Huiwon said, "It must be nice knowing so much. I barely went to school, so I don't know stuff like that."

"Ah... um..."

"I'm joking, joking. Don't make that face."

I looked at the slightly sulky Jeong Huiwon and said, "I have something for you too."

"It's not that robe, is it?"

"Yes. It is."

"No thanks. No matter how desperate things get, I'm not wearing something like that."

"Come on, try it on. It's better than having nothing."

After a brief hesitation, Jeong Huiwon carefully threw the robe over her shoulders. She was trying, in her own way, to make it look stylish, but no matter how you looked at it, it was just a beggar's rag.

[A constellation who favors monopolies criticizes your actions.]

[A constellation who praises camaraderie likes your actions.]

If the constellation artifact Samyeong Daesa's Bamboo Staff had appeared, I obviously would've kept it for myself, but the other two items weren't things I needed right now. Jeong Huiwon looked at her reflection from every angle in the subway screen doors, then said with a complicated expression, "It's hard to explain... but I suddenly feel full of energy."

Samyeong Daesa's Robe was an item that heightened an Incarnation's sense of justice and willpower. It wasn't much use to me, but for someone as hot-blooded as Jeong Huiwon, it would be a very useful item.

"You said his name was Samyeong Daesa, right? I should remember it."

[The constellation Bald Army General is watching the situation with satisfaction.]

[You have received 100 coins.]

I told her as a joke, "Why don't you go press your palms together in front of the statue too? If Samyeong Daesa is moved, maybe he'll send down something else."

* * *

It was a joke, but Jeong Huiwon really did go press her palms together. Poisoned from exposure to the poisonous fog, she sat beside me and diligently chewed on Ground Rat meat as she said, "But someone smashed it all up. That wasn't you, Dokja-ssi, was it?"

"..."

"...Dokja-ssi?"

"More importantly, we should start getting ready. We're almost at Chungmuro."

I said it while looking into the pitch-black tunnel. More than twenty minutes had already passed as we advanced one careful step at a time using Lee Gilyeong's [Inter-Species Communication].

Considering the straight-line distance from Dongdaeipgu to Chungmuro was less than a kilometer, it was about time for that thing to appear.

[A new sub scenario has arrived!]

Just as I thought.

"Everyone, step back."

Category: Sub

Difficulty: D~F

Clear Conditions: Escape from the Illusory Prison within the time limit.

Time limit: 1 hour

Rewards: 300 coins

Penalty for failure: ???

[Sub Scenario - Illusory Prison has begun!]

Even Yu Junghyeok had probably struggled quite a bit with this scenario.

Because this scenario was one of the most dangerous traps for the regressor.

Yu Sangah asked, "Illusory Prison? What is that?"

She would find out even if she didn't ask.

"It's coming. Everyone, stay sharp."

Before I had even finished speaking, masses of pale fog came rushing in. The tunnel was swallowed by mist, and in an instant, it blocked my surroundings from view. I couldn't even see the Allies right beside me. No matter where I looked, all I could see was a warped landscape, as if I were high on drugs.

"Ugh... I feel like I'm going to throw up."

Jeong Huiwon cried out. She was probably seeing something different from what I was seeing now.

"Dokja."

A voice I didn't want to hear. The voice of someone I'd long forgotten came from that drugged-looking scenery. If it was this bad for me, it would be even worse for the others.

"...Something feels strange. Dokja-ssi! Are you there?"

"Dokja-ssi! Dokja-ssi!"

In the distorted view, the voices of the group were gradually growing farther away.

[Illusory Prison].

A space that preyed on people's trauma and drove them into madness.

"Dokja, you didn't see anything. Understood?"

As the scenery blurred, someone's face floated up. I stared at empty air in silence, then gave a bitter smile. As if denying that this was reality.

[Exclusive Skill, The Fourth Wall has activated!]

[The skill's effects have granted you immunity to Illusory Prison.]

As my mind calmed, the unpleasant sensation faded away.

[The constellation Secretive Plotter is impressed by your mental energy.]

[You have received 100 coins.]

[A constellation full of curiosity regrets being unable to peek into your memories.]

As the power of Illusory Prison weakened, I sensed movement around me.

"Everyone, calm down and take slow, deep breaths."

Those trapped in Illusory Prison lost their reason and poured their madness onto those around them. That was why the most dangerous thing in Illusory Prison was the Companions beside you. Concern over this prison was probably one reason Yu Junghyeok had started acting alone.

"P-private Lee Hyeongseong. I-I must've heard wrong?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mom!"

"Y-you sons of bitches...!"

...Was I already too late? I could hear the screams of my Allies, swallowed by madness. But not all of them were.

"...Dokja-ssi?"

At that moment, Yu Sangah appeared inside Illusory Prison. Samyeong Daesa's Prayer Beads on her wrist were shining brightly. Good. It was working.

I approached Yu Sangah and said, "Please cover our surroundings. I'm going to destroy this space now."

Yu Sangah nodded with a tense expression.

[Exclusive Skill, Dispel Evil Lv.1 has activated.]

Dispel Evil. A skill one level above Repel Evil, which could be purchased with coins. The reason I had gone out of my way to destroy Samyeong Daesa's statue was precisely because of this skill.

[Exclusive Skill, Dispel Evil Lv.1 has dispelled Illusory Prison.]

As expected, maybe because it was a skill Samyeong Daesa had used, the effect was immediate. If I had bought Repel Evil, it would've taken a full minute to dispel it. As the fog retreated and Illusory Prison disappeared, the others began coming back into view one by one.

"O-our resolve! We are the Republic of Korea Army, loyal to the nation and the people!"

"Ugh... ugh... Mom."

It was a scene that revealed at a glance what kinds of trauma they had. Lee Hyeongseong had his forehead pressed to the floor, sprawled on the ground, while Lee Gilyeong sat with his head buried in his knees, trembling. Yu Sangah stepped in first.

"Hyeongseong-ssi? Gilyeong! Everyone, get a hold of yourselves!"

At that moment, a blind blade flew in from behind. Thankfully, it wasn't fast, so it wasn't hard to avoid.

"...I'll kill every last one of you."

Jeong Huiwon was glaring into empty space like a madwoman, her sword raised high. My heart dropped as I looked at her eyes, which were gradually turning red.

This was bad. It was a sign of [Demon Slaying].

Thwack!

I struck the back of Jeong Huiwon's neck hard with the side of my hand and knocked her out. Thankfully, she went down immediately. I had even given her Samyeong Daesa's Robe in case something like this happened, but it seemed Jeong Huiwon's mental state was even more fragile than I had expected.

"Yu Sangah-ssi, please take care of Jeong Huiwon-ssi."

"...Okay."

"It's not over yet."

[You have fulfilled the Clear Conditions of the sub scenario!]

[You have obtained 300 coins!]

The instant the clear message appeared, monsters emerged before my eyes. Grotesque creatures with soft, squirming bodies that resembled ectoplasm.

Tier-8 ghost species, specters.

The culprits behind Illusory Prison were this pack of specters. I used White Pure Star Energy and activated the Blade of Faith.

Kiiieeeek!

Thankfully, the battle itself wasn't difficult. Specters weren't hard to deal with in the first place as long as you could break Illusory Prison. With chilling shrieks, the entire pack of specters was wiped out.

[Specter Spirit Stone].

This was another useful item later on. I stuffed the fallen spirit stones into my pocket. Maybe thanks to Yu Sangah, the others were regaining their senses quickly.

"Is everyone all right?"

As expected, the quickest to recover was the simple Lee Hyeongseong. After hearing the whole story, Lee Hyeongseong let out a sigh and lowered his head.

"...Thank you. We almost caused something terrible. I owe you again, Dokja-ssi."

"It's nothing."

"My head hurts..."

Lee Gilyeong kept lightly tapping his own head. I quietly cradled his head in my hands. He was pretending to be fine, but this kid probably had the most horrifying trauma here.

In the distance, I could see a dim light. Yu Sangah said, "Dokja-ssi, I think we're almost there."

I hesitated for a moment. Jeong Huiwon was unconscious, and the others weren't in a state to fight at full strength either.

Would it really be all right to enter like this?

But that question was answered by someone else.

A blade abruptly emerged from the darkness. But there was no intent to harm in it, only a movement meant purely as a threat.

"Who are you people? Don't you know this area is our hunting ground?"

At the entrance where faint light filtered in stood a girl holding a long saber. She had the youthful face of someone around seventeen, and she wore the familiar uniform of a girls' high school.

She had thrown on a hooded zip-up as if trying to hide her nametag, but it couldn't conceal her striking looks.

"Ah, that girl is...!"

Yu Sangah, with her sharp eye, recognized her first.

I knew her too.

Because she was also one of the novel's major supporting characters.

The sole survivor of Typhoon High, Lee Jihye.

She was one of the reasons Yu Junghyeok had forced his way straight to Chungmuro in the shortest time possible.

"...Did you come after killing the specters?"

Lee Jihye looked startled when she noticed the spirit stones in my hand.

"How on earth... only our master can kill those."

I immediately activated my skill.

[Exclusive Skill, Character Profile has activated!]

Name: Lee Jihye

Age: 17

Patron constellation: Naval Warfare God

Exclusive attribute: Scarred Sword Demon (Rare)

Exclusive Skill: [swordsmanship Lv.3], [Demon Slaying Lv.1], [sensory perfection Lv.2], [ghost walk Lv.1]

Stigma: [Naval Warfare Lv.1], [Army Command Lv.1]

Overall stats: [Constitution Lv.13], [Strength Lv.12], [Agility Lv.13], [Mana Lv.9]

Overall evaluation: This is someone who evolved into the Scarred Sword Demon after killing her closest friend. This individual's Patron constellation has favorable feelings toward you and your Companions.

Currently using the Starter Pack.

As expected, there were no surprises.

Naval Warfare God.

Just as planned, Lee Jihye had taken that Patron constellation. In the naval war that would come later, she would be indispensable.

[The constellation Bald Army General is moved by his reunion with an old comrade.]

[Lee Jihye's Patron constellation warmly greets Bald Army General.]

In the subway where no trains ran anymore, I felt a faint breeze. Watching Lee Jihye's hair scatter in the intermittent wind, I realized it anew.

[Main Scenario #2 - Encounter has ended.]

[Rewards are being calculated.]

Yes, we had finally arrived.

Here in Chungmuro.

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