WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 287: Episode 54: Demon King Slayer (1)

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Throughout my time reading 『Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse』, there was one thing I imagined more than anything else.

"If TWSA became reality, what would happen?"

Anyone with a favorite novel had probably imagined something like that at least once. I had too. Maybe that was why I adapted so well to TWSA, thanks to all the endless possibilities my younger self had imagined.

When the Scenario starts, I'll do this first, then that, and I'll look for this Hidden Piece...

I even made a chart in the corner of my textbook when I was in middle school.

"Yu Junghyeok: former pro gamer, terrible personality, psychopath, kills people if they can't communicate with him, sometimes he kills them anyway, must absolutely make him my ally, he still has some humanity left until the third round..."

When I first learned I had fallen into the third round of TWSA, I thought I was lucky. I was truly relieved that I had arrived in a world I could still change.

If I had fallen into the final round instead...

「Kim Dok ja thou ght.」

There would have been no one who could stop him.

「Fuuuck.」

Seeing the blade flying toward me with a shriek through the air, I shouted with all my strength.

[Wait! Stop! I said stop!]

More than a thousand regressions. Over a hundred suicides. A mind numbed after surpassing the limit of tragedy a single person could endure. Regressor's depression pushed to the extreme...

「The Yu Junghyeok of the 1,863rd round was the despair of this world itself.」

At the desperate instant when the unhesitating blade was about to pass through my neck, I used my wits.

[You have activated the Exclusive Skill Miniaturization Lv.10!]

My body shrank in an instant, and the indifferent blade cut through empty air. Beyond it, I saw his startled eyes.

You bastard. Did you think I came all this way to die?

Even if he was from the 1,863rd round, he was wrong if he thought I'd let him kill me without a fight.

[You have activated the Exclusive Skill Bookmark!]

[Exclusive Skill, Electrification Lv.12(+2), has been activated!]

I knew I wasn't a match for him. Still, I had to struggle.

I slipped away as swiftly as lightning and shouted at him.

"You bastard! You have to let me speak before you expect an answer!"

Indirect Messages poured down from the air with my shout.

[Some Constellations have noticed your presence.]

[The Constellation Adventurer Who Stood an Egg on Its End is interested in your appearance.]

[The Constellation King of Mayflies takes an interest in you for opposing the Steel-Blooded Monarch.]

[A few Constellations feel strong jealousy toward you.]

[You have received 1,000 coins.]

Scenario 95 of the 1,863rd round.

Even with the world in this state, there were still Constellations sponsoring people.

Though the nature of their sponsorship was somewhat different from before...

Junghyeok glared at me with a stiff expression.

"White Purity Sect martial arts? They should've been lost in this round..."

I could feel the twisted gears in his mind, warped by over a thousand regressions, spinning at full speed. Based solely on what I had shown him so far, he had likely already decided whether to kill or spare me.

It was terrifying.

[You have activated the Exclusive Skill Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint!]

But that was exactly why I had to read him now.

It was the only way to get out of this situation.

[Your understanding of this individual is insufficient to activate Level 2 of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint!]

[You have activated Level 1 of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint!]

...Insufficient understanding.

It hurt my pride a little, but I could understand why.

This wasn't just any Yu Junghyeok. It was the Yu Junghyeok of the 1,863rd round.

I had no choice but to activate Level 1. I couldn't read his detailed thoughts, but knowing the direction of his attacks would still help...

「Neck.」

The moment Junghyeok's thought reached me, I threw myself backward with all my strength.

Even he wouldn't be able to catch me so easily now. I had activated [Electrification], followed by [Way of the Wind]...

"Urk...?"

I didn't know whether I turned first or the pitch-black shadow overtook me first. My breath caught, my knees went weak, and my vision turned black.

Crackkk.

Mana squeezed my whole body as if it were crushing me flat. I flailed in the air like an electrocuted fish as an enormous amount of Mana shook my entire body.

[A few Constellations laugh at your appearance.]

When my blackened vision cleared, Junghyeok's face was right before me. His hand was clamped around my throat, crushing it. The part of my neck trapped between his thumb and forefinger hurt as if it would snap.

I couldn't believe it.

Even if he was from the final round, he caught me this easily while [Electrification] was active?

"I'll ask one last time."

The instant I heard his cold voice, I realized how stupid I had been. I thought knowing the direction beforehand meant I could dodge.

The one standing before me wasn't the immature Junghyeok from the third round.

"Where is the Dragon-Slaying Sword Arondight?"

...I wanted to scream at him to stop asking questions while gripping my throat.

"Since Lancelot's Incarnation body is here, you must know."

Ah, so the Constellation who had just died was that Lancelot? Damn it.

"If you have no intention of answering, I'll have to find out by force."

Junghyeok's eyes glowed gold. As expected, whether it was the third round or the 1,863rd, Junghyeok's core had never changed.

[The character Yu Junghyeok has activated Sage's Eye Lv.???!]

After thousands of regressions, his [Sage's Eye] had reached a fearsome level. The only beings he probably couldn't see through now were Outer Gods who had lived longer than him.

[Exclusive Skill, The Fourth Wall, has detected Sage's Eye!]

[The Exclusive Skill The Fourth Wall has activated strongly!]

The moment Junghyeok's [Sage's Eye] swept over my body, the Wall moved.

Before that persistent gaze, determined not to miss a single piece of information, [The Fourth Wall] stood firm, refusing to allow even the slightest opening. Sparks burst before my eyes, stronger than when I encountered the [Unidentified Wall].

「Not b ad.」

This time, even [The Fourth Wall] seemed to find Junghyeok formidable. At this point, I couldn't tell whether [The Fourth Wall] was amazing or Junghyeok was amazing.

[The Fourth Wall] didn't retreat, and Junghyeok didn't give up. Thanks to that, I was the one being fried alive between them.

The pain was so unbearable that I considered screaming through a constellation's declaration.

"Urgh...?"

Junghyeok was the first to withdraw his strength. Their clash must have been fierce, because blood vessels had risen in his golden, swirling eyes.

[The character Yu Junghyeok feels competitive.]

[The character Yu Junghyeok reveals strong hostility toward you!]

A barrier even [Sage's Eye] couldn't penetrate. I realized again just how incredible [The Fourth Wall] was.

That was when something strange happened.

Tssssss!

[The Fourth Wall] wasn't satisfied with merely blocking Junghyeok's [Sage's Eye]. It began flowing like water over the back of the hand gripping me. As the letters that flowed out covered his body like a swarm of insects, Junghyeok spoke in confusion for the first time.

"What is th-"

The writhing letters soon became a memory, unfolding like a panorama. It was my memory of the third round, recorded within [The Fourth Wall].

「"Let go of me and get lost, you goddamn bastard."」

「"Probably. Either way, this is definitely a hopeful situation."

"What's hopeful about it?"

"Junghyeok, we can save the world. You know that, right?"」

「"The name of our nebula is Kim Dokja Company..."

"It doesn't have a name yet. And we'll find supporters from now on."」

They were memories the Junghyeok before me couldn't understand.

None of them had happened in this round. The sparks that seemed capable of blinding us slowly faded, revealing Junghyeok's distorted expression.

"Just what are you...?"

Junghyeok of the 1,863rd round looked utterly shocked.

As if it found the situation amusing, [The Fourth Wall]'s voice sounded in my head.

「I did we ll, right, Kim Dok ja?」

Did you do well?

"Speak. What was that just now? If you don't tell me, I'll tear you to pieces."

Crackkk.

What do you mean, you did well?

[Urk, wait! Give me time to answer...!]

Within Junghyeok's grip, I exploded white-blue Mana. It was a desperate attempt to escape his hand. It wouldn't be enough, but at least I had to buy time until I could borrow the power of a Great Fable...

Booom!

Then something unexpected happened. A sudden explosion behind him made Junghyeok release me. He looked flustered, as if he had been surprised himself. Junghyeok reached for me again with sluggish movements.

I didn't know what was going on, but I couldn't waste the chance I had barely seized.

[Exclusive Skill, Way of the Wind Lv.11(+1), has been activated!]

When I activated [Way of the Wind] with all my strength, a white-blue current remained in the sky like a rainbow.

I expected him to chase me at once, but I couldn't sense Junghyeok's presence. When I turned around to see what was happening, an unexpected sight unfolded.

...What was that?

At the same time as my question, a deafening constellation's declaration rang through the sky.

[Yu Junghyeok! I will avenge Unfathomable Strictness!]

Red and blue eyes blazed from the rooftop of a nearby building. Two black panthers with sleek, streamlined bodies descended toward Junghyeok, radiating overwhelming Status.

[The Demon King Demon King of Serenity and Ferocity reveals hostility toward the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok!]

[The Demon King Eyes That See the Forbidden bares his fangs at the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok!]

Junghyeok of the 1,863rd round was stronger than any other version of himself, but that also meant he had more enemies.

I had no trouble recalling the two panthers' True Names.

Demon King of Serenity and Ferocity, Ose.

Eyes That See the Forbidden, Flauros.

They were the Demon Kings of the 57th and 64th Demon Realms, respectively. Those prideful Demon Kings had even forgotten their shame as they prepared to join forces against a single Incarnation.

Even so, it wasn't shameful.

[Demon King Slayer! Your story will end here today!]

Junghyeok before me was worth that much.

Thinking this was perfect, I hid behind the cover of the booming explosions and carefully watched the situation. The urge to get as far away as possible while I had the chance clashed with my desire to watch the battle a little longer.

This wasn't just any battle. It was a fight involving Junghyeok of the 1,863rd round.

It wasn't a spectacle I could see easily.

A blast loud enough to deafen me erupted, and the battle began.

[Many Constellations are thrilled by the battle of the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok!]

Amid the flood of Indirect Messages, Junghyeok drew his sword.

Splitting the Sky Sword, which had already broken in the third round.

Its blade, improved through countless Scenarios to an entirely different level, shone brightly in the darkness.

The Demon Kings unleashed their own authority in response.

[Creatures, rise from death!]

Dead counts and dukes of the Demon Realm became undead and burst from the ground. Each was an elite individual who retained the fighting strength they had possessed in life.

Yet Junghyeok didn't look flustered at all.

"'Summoning of the Dead'? The Demon God of Necromancy used that too."

Junghyeok was smiling.

"The Demon God of Necromancy's corpse now hangs among the stars of dead Constellations."

[Shut up!]

The moment a ray of light flashed, Junghyeok's sword moved.

What should I call that swordsmanship?

...Sky Splitter Sword Art?

I didn't know. One thing was certain: it was swordsmanship so beautiful it sent chills down my spine.

Kyaaaaah!

And it was astonishingly cruel swordsmanship.

The demonic nobles cut down by his sword screamed as they vanished.

High-ranking dukes of the Demon Realm were comparable to Historical-grade Constellations. Yet several of those beings burst apart with every strike.

In less than a minute, Junghyeok slaughtered dozens of undead nobles and had already reached Demon King Flauros.

[How...]

Like a toy, Demon King Flauros's head exploded.

His eyes held no emotion. With an indifferent smile, Junghyeok killed a Demon King in a single blow.

[Y-you lunatic!]

Demon King Ose roared in fury, releasing his Status.

[Constellations! What are you hesitating for!]

At his call, the Constellations hidden throughout the ruins leaped out. Most belonged to the Absolute Evil affiliation. From Historical-grade to fabled-grade, powerful Constellations swarmed toward Junghyeok to kill him.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is telling the fable Eternal Hellscape!]

Junghyeok wasn't pushed back in the slightest. A blood-red aura surged from his entire body and collided with the Constellations.

Crack!

It was a terrifyingly domineering power, yet every strike held calm restraint.

Whenever Junghyeok's sword moved, the Constellations' formation shook helplessly.

[Constellations of the Absolute Evil affiliation hate the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

The Incarnation bodies of Constellations burst apart one after another. Could those lofty Constellations possibly look so pathetic?

Junghyeok continued fighting without the slightest sign of impatience.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is telling the Great Fable Pilgrim of the Lonely Apocalypse!]

He was even defeating the Constellations using only his left arm.

Every time a Constellation fell, goosebumps rose along my arm.

[Some Constellations of the Absolute Evil affiliation are shocked by the battle of the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

Hatred became shock.

[Some Constellations of the Absolute Evil affiliation fear the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

And shock soon became fear.

[Many Constellations tremble at the power of the Incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

A shiver ran through me.

Crazy bastard... He really was crazy.

No matter how hard I thought, I couldn't come up with a way to defeat Junghyeok before me.

I didn't know what Scenario Secretive Plotter would give me, but I absolutely couldn't become that bastard's enemy before it ended.

Then a message arrived.

[A Sub Scenario requested by Secretive Plotter has arrived!]

Footnotes:

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