WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS
Translator: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 519: Epilogue 1: The Zeroth World (3)
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[An Overwrite Constraint is currently in effect for this round.]
[The copyright holder of the current worldline is absent.]
[As the owner of the Final Wall, you may act on behalf of the copyright holder.]
[Would you like to interfere with the worldview by executing Overwrite?]
Warning messages appeared all at once in the air.
At almost the same time, I heard [The Fourth Wall]'s voice.
「Kim Dok ja」
‘I know, so stop saying my name so creepily.’
I already knew what [The Fourth Wall] was going to say.
It would once again go on about how changing a predetermined past was meaningless.
「.......」
I felt a gaze boring into me from the air, but I forced myself to ignore it.
I didn't know exactly how the original zeroth round had unfolded. Still, if the paragraph about the zeroth round that I had glimpsed in [The Fourth Wall]'s Library was true, Yu Junghyeok of the zeroth round didn't have a Patron until much later.
He lost Lee Seolhwa in this round, and Lee Jihye as well.
He lost the precious people he had only barely managed to meet.
With death approaching, he desperately thought,
「‘What if I had a Patron, too?’」
I watched Junghyeok read the system messages with trembling eyes.
This round would begin Junghyeok's Regression.
He would repeat countless Regressions and walk "Eternal Hellscape."
「Even if you cha nge this rou nd...」
‘The past Secretive Plotter lived through won't disappear. I know.’
Even if I changed this worldline, the tragedies awaiting him wouldn't disappear.
The Yu Junghyeok I knew would live through the first round, the second round, the third round, and then the 1,863rd round.
He would become Secretive Plotter.
And he would come to hate me.
Even if that happened.
‘I can't feel a trace of the Oldest Dream in this round other than myself.’
It was likely because my childhood self didn't know about Yu Junghyeok's zeroth round. Either way, one thing was certain. At least in this worldline, I could take that guy's place.
I could become Junghyeok's Patron in this worldline.
「Are you going to make him re gress?」
[The Fourth Wall] asked with interest. I shook my head.
‘No. I'm going to make sure he doesn't Regress.’
「Even if you cha nge him, the fu ture―」
‘Yeah. That's why I can rest easy.’
The past I changed wouldn't deny the Junghyeok I knew.
「If Junghyeok could have even one round where he wasn't unhappy.」
I slowly reached out into the air.
[Executing Overwrite!]
[Interference with the current worldview has begun!]
[Your dream control is insufficient, making active interference impossible.]
Crackle.
Messages appeared one after another alongside the sparks.
[The Demon King of Salvation has been registered as your temporary Constellation name.]
[You are currently participating in patron selection as a Constellation.]
[The Star Stream system doubts your qualifications.]
[The low-grade dokkaebi Bihyeong finds your modifier unfamiliar.]
[Some Constellations are flustered by your appearance!]
Looking at Junghyeok's pale expression, I bit down hard on my lip.
This might have been the wrong choice. By changing this worldline, I might make Junghyeok even more miserable.
But if it was me now...
[Oho, Demon King of Salvation? It seems a new Constellation has appeared!]
If I was Kim Dokja, who had seen the end of a world and become the Oldest Dream that knew the Scenario's Final Chapter, couldn't I change a predetermined Fate?
[Since another candidate has appeared, we'll have to extend the time a little.]
Bihyeong updated the message in the air.
[The patron selection waiting period has been extended by 5 minutes.]
The survivors around me, who had barely managed to survive, began to speak one by one.
"What the hell is this?"
"Patron selection...?"
It wasn't unfamiliar to me because I had read TWSA, but I could imagine how confused people facing a situation like this for the first time would be.
[The Incarnation Yu Junghyeok's Attribute has activated!]
Even then, Junghyeok was the only one who had regained his senses. His calm, settled eyes proved it.
Now then, what are you thinking?
[Exclusive Skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Lv.???, has activated!]
I felt a little sorry about peering into the mind of the timid Junghyeok from the zeroth round, but I had to see it this time. What if he chose another Patron...
[You are the Oldest Dream.]
[Regardless of your understanding of the target, you may use this skill's ability at one hundred percent!]
Junghyeok's thoughts unfolded in full, like an anatomical diagram of the human body.
「What about Mia? What happened to Mia?」
「I need to save Mia.」
「First, I need to deal with the choices in front of me.」
「Patron selection. It probably means I should choose a supporter.」
I grew a little nervous. Junghyeok hadn't chosen a Patron early in the original zeroth round, but that was only in the original story. I didn't know what would happen this time.
Unexpectedly, it wasn't Junghyeok who showed interest in me. It was the other Constellations.
[The Constellation God of Wine and Ecstasy greets you.]
[The Constellation God of Wine and Ecstasy thinks your modifier is cool.]
Dionysus seemed just as brazen in every round. If he hadn't yielded aboard the Final Ark, the battle would have been much harder.
Just as I was about to greet him back, someone cut in.
[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon is wary of you.]
Come to think of it, he was here too.
You must be watching Kim Namwoon in the next car as well. Just how many sides are you playing at once?
[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon thinks you copied his modifier.]
I almost asked him what part of it was similar, but held myself back.
There were three minutes left to choose. I didn't need to waste my mental energy on something pointless.
When I looked back, Junghyeok had already begun to seriously consider his choices.
I swallowed hard.
+
1. God of Wine and Ecstasy
+
Junghyeok stared at the modifier for a moment before looking away.
「What a vulgar name.」
Then his eyes turned to candidate number two.
+
2. Nail-Eating Rat
+
Junghyeok looked at the modifier for quite a while, and I grew anxious.
Get a grip, Junghyeok. Pick Black Flame Dragon if you have to.
「It looks weak.」
I barely managed a sigh of relief.
Don't make me nervous, you bastard.
Junghyeok then turned his gaze to the third candidate.
+
3. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon
+
Of course, there was no way Junghyeok would choose number three. He acted like someone who loved himself above all else, but he didn't actually like flamboyant, pretentious words like that.
So...
「It sounds fairly strong.」
What? No...
「It might be a considerably powerful supporter.」
He really was strong, but... that bastard made his Incarnation chant bizarre summoning spells. Junghyeok, please open your damn eyes. Only Kim Namwoon or Han Suyeong could put up with someone like him.
[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon shows off before you.]
[1 minute remains until patron selection ends.]
At last, Junghyeok's eyes moved to candidate number four.
+
4. Demon King of Salvation
+
I barely collected myself and looked at the patron selection choices with Junghyeok from behind him.
God of Wine and Ecstasy, Nail-Eating Rat, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, Demon King of Salvation...
‘Fourth Wall. What do you think?’
[The Fourth Wall] hesitated, as if it didn't understand what I meant.
‘I mean, who looks the strongest to you?’
「We ll...」
‘Not their actual combat power. Just judging by their modifiers.’
I expected an immediate answer, but [The Fourth Wall] seemed to be thinking it over.
I didn't wait and spoke first.
‘I'm not saying this because I'm the 「Demon King of Salvation」, but honestly, objectively speaking...’
No, it didn't even need to be objective. Let's think about this logically.
God of Wine and Ecstasy? He just sounded like a drunkard.
Nail-Eating Rat? What use was someone like that supposed to be? It wasn't even a replacement for nail clippers.
Abyssal Black Flame Dragon? It was obviously a choice you should never make.
No matter how stupid Junghyeok of the zeroth round was, he wouldn't make a mistake here.
I was the only normal modifier here.
Sure enough, Junghyeok raised a finger and pointed at number four as if he had been impressed by my modifier. Then he thought,
「What an arrogant name.」
...
「Weak people usually use names like this.」
Before I could shout anything, Junghyeok sprang to his feet and spoke.
"I've decided. I―"
Junghyeok's lips slowly parted beneath his triumphant smile.
I quietly looked up at the subway ceiling.
Crackle.
Intense heat gathered at my fingertips.
[You are interfering with the worldline.]
[Overwrite has begun.]
[Excessive interference may provoke strong resistance from the worldline...]
I struck Junghyeok in the back of the head with all my strength.
* * *
"Ugh!"
Kim Dokja woke with a powerful shock to the back of his head.
"How long are you going to sleep your ass off? Aren't you getting up?"
When he opened his eyes, he saw Han Suyeong shaking out her hand.
Dokja wiped the drool from the sofa and groggily rose to his feet.
What? Why am I here? So...
"Why aren't you getting ready? Did you forget where we were going today?"
Yu Junghyeok stood beside Suyeong in his usual pose, his eyes burning as always.
"You're making us wait for no reason."
It wasn't just Junghyeok. Behind him, Huiwon was poking her head out, while Hyeongseong stood beside her carrying an armful of something.
"Is that pizza?"
"It's chicken, idiot."
Shin Yuseong and Gilyeong swallowed as they looked at the plastic bags Hyeongseong held. Jihye stood beside the two children.
"Let's hurry up. I'm starving!"
Seeing them, Dokja remembered what day it was.
「The world's Scenarios had ended.」
When he turned his head, bright sunlight streamed through the windows of the industrial complex.
「And today was the day Kim Dokja Company would go on an outing together for the first time.」
Suyeong grumbled the entire way to their destination.
"Hey, Kim Dokja."
"What?"
"You didn't really forget what day it is today, did you?"
"What day is it?"
"December 25th. What else would it be?"
Dokja thought for a moment before answering.
"The day Mitra was born?"
"Is that some kind of Veda joke?"
They continued walking while talking nonsense. Every now and then, Junghyeok groaned as though annoyed.
A red sports car pulled over with a loud roar, and someone opened the driver's door before getting out.
"Sangah-ssi!"
Huiwon recognized Yu Sangah first and raised a hand high. Sangah, wearing a long white padded coat and jeans, took off her sunglasses.
"Sorry I'm late. Filming made me late."
Suyeong seemed displeased by that and took a jab at her.
"Well, well. Aren't you quite the celebrity now?"
"Do we really have to eat at the Han River when it's this cold?"
"Is there anyone here without cold resistance? You should still have skills at that level."
"We could just eat at the industrial complex. There'll be a lot of people because it's Christmas."
"We promised the kids."
Watching the two bicker, Dokja suddenly felt a sharp ache in one corner of his heart.
Why did he miss this sight so painfully?
It had already been three months since every Scenario ended.
"Where are Seolhwa-ssi and Pildu-ssi? I don't see Manager Han either."
"They'll be here soon. Ah, there they are. Hey! Lee Seolhwa!"
In front of Yeouinaru Station, Lee Seolhwa was cheerfully waving both hands in a white fur coat. Pildu Gong stood beside her, looking somewhere else with a sulky expression.
"We thought you'd forgotten about us again because you were taking so long."
As if something had struck a nerve, Huiwon quickly replied.
"Oh, come on. As if we'd do that."
"You left us behind and went back to the industrial complex then, too."
"Ahem, we went looking for you in the end."
"Looking for us? The librarians let us out, so we came back on our own. Even now, when I think about it..."
"Where's Han Myeongoh?"
"Myeongoh-ssi couldn't come. He said Christmas was for spending with family..."
"That man has family...? Ah."
Amid the lively chatter, the group continued on.
Gilyeong and Yuseong each clung to one of Dokja's arms and snarled at each other.
"Hey, stop pulling him that way."
"You stop it."
"Mister, do you think Santa Claus is a Constellation too?"
At last, they reached the Han River Park. Perhaps because of the cold, there weren't many people outside. Instead, they could see the collapsed bridges over the Han River and the blackened sky. Only the few remaining stars proved that the Star Stream had once been there.
「Everything had clearly ended.」
They laid out a mat and set up a portable heater beside the children. Junghyeok set up a small table next to it and was making something with Jihye.
Dokja asked, "You're making it here?"
"Of course. There aren't any chicken or pizza places, so we have to make it ourselves."
Come to think of it, that made sense. It had only been three months since the Scenarios ended. There was no way pizza and chicken restaurants could have returned already.
Han Suyeong said, "Be grateful that someone is making it for you."
Chicken legs, swiftly disassembled, flew through the air. Junghyeok's special sauces gleamed as they splashed over them. Dough spun furiously at the end of a knife handle. Dokja couldn't tell whether they were making pizza or chicken, but one thing was certain. Something incredible was being made.
"So a day like this really did come."
Sangah sat on the mat with her knees drawn up. Her eyes were fixed on the Han River, as if she were overcome with emotion.
Dokja asked, "You've been very busy lately, haven't you?"
"Well... yes. There are a lot of things to take care of."
It had only been three months since the Scenarios ended. Society still hadn't settled down. The system's influence hadn't completely disappeared, and criminals with skills or Stigmas were still running rampant.
Sangah was the world's hero, defeating them and protecting its citizens.
"They look good together."
In the distance, Huiwon and Hyeongseong stood side by side, looking out over the Han River. Suyeong bluntly said, "I'll bet 100 coins they won't last a year."
Then something exploded in the distance. Startled, the group instinctively reached for their weapons.
Looking closer, the sound came from fireworks launched from a distant building.
"Someone's already doing that."
Suyeong muttered as if she couldn't believe it.
Dokja looked at the scene anew. Fireworks. He hadn't thought he would ever see them again while alive. The scent of food slowly cooking drifted through the air.
"Kim Dokja."
"Yeah?"
"You haven't been reading that lately."
"What?"
Dokja thought for a moment before answering.
"Oh, right. I should be reading it."
He hurriedly took out his smartphone. But the battery was dead, and the phone wouldn't turn on.
Suyeong's face reflected in the black screen. Her eyes were impossible to read. She stared silently at Dokja, muttered something to herself, then plopped down with a grunt.
"Maybe I shouldn't have come. Thinking about all this is just making my head spin."
"Huh?"
"I'm just talking to myself. More importantly, there was something like this in TWSA too. Do you remember?"
TWSA.
"Remember? In Yu Junghyeok's third round, they all gathered together at the Han River and tore apart Ground Rat legs..."
Dokja's expression twisted strangely as he listened to Suyeong continue. She reached toward him as he staggered.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay? Do you feel sick?"
"My head just suddenly hurts a little..."
"Did I hit you too hard earlier? Maybe you should rest for a moment..."
"No. More importantly... you're right."
"About what?"
"TWSA. I like that scene too. It's my favorite scene in the third round."
Suyeong looked at Dokja's face, then gave a faint smile.
"You're such a TWSA nerd bastard."
Fireworks exploded in the distance again. They were far bigger than before. The children cheered as they watched flames beautifully embroider the night sky.
Dokja thought that perhaps this was the sight he had longed for, for such a long time. For so very long...
Suyeong spoke again.
"But, Kim Dokja."
"Yeah?"
Since when had Suyeong's face gotten so close?
Her distinct features. Her pale cheeks. The beauty mark beneath her sparkling eyes.
Dokja was flustered by the lemon scent at the tip of his nose and was about to speak when Suyeong moved first. She brought her lips close to his ear and slowly whispered in a perfectly clear voice.
"Nothing like that happens in TWSA's third round."
Along with the fireworks scattering through the air, it felt as though fierce sparks struck down from somewhere. Dokja's vision flipped over, and he realized he had been thrown onto the ground.
"Hey."
Suyeong's cold eyes were right in front of him.
「Everything had clearly ended.」
「Then why did it feel as though nothing had ended at all?」
Huiwon and Hyeongseong ran toward him from the distance. Junghyeok's expressionless eyes were watching him.
In a world where every story had ended, Suyeong's sharp dagger gleamed white amid the fireworks coloring the night sky.
"Who the hell are you?"
Footnotes:
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