Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint - Chapter 722

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 722: Episode 27: Recycling Center (5)

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Throughout the rounds of TWSA, Yu Junghyeok had lost his memories several times.

Around the 800th round, he had encountered an Outer God belonging to a Great Old One and suffered a mental collapse.

Around the 1,150th round, he had fallen into the giant nebulae's "the regressor Dissection Plan" and become an experimental subject for the nebulae for a time.

There had even been times when he received an improper transfusion of Lee Hyeongseong's military fable, resulting in 「Yu Junghyeok the Mad Soldier」. Then, it hadn't been a matter of mere memory loss. He had gone completely insane.

But had his body ever become this small?

At least, it didn't happen in the TWSA I remembered. Of course, it had happened once in Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint...

Watching Junghyeok put on battle boots with those tiny hands gave me a truly strange feeling.

Did I really have to acknowledge that creature as Junghyeok?

[The Constellation One Who Made the Rat Win thinks the little rat is cute.]

Was something wrong with the world?

"You really can run."

The Incarnations who had each finished receiving their rewards gathered around me one by one.

"Your response was impressive. To think you could use a fable like that... It would be nice if we worked in the same Area at the Center."

"Which Area will you choose? Why don't you join us?"

"I have a line to the pig side. If you join me, I can connect you with them..."

The same Area. It seemed the Recycling Center was divided into separate sections.

[The lower levels of the Recycling Center are the territory of the nebula Twelve Zodiacs.]

As expected.

[The first-, second-, and third-place winners of the Twelve Zodiac Race are granted priority Area selection rights.]

I apologized to the gathered Incarnations before answering.

"I'm sorry, but I don't plan on choosing a particular faction yet."

Joining a line would have been helpful, of course. But now wasn't the time to make that decision.

Some of the Incarnations looked disappointed by my answer, while others frowned and cursed.

Flying Fox, who had watched the scene from nearby, nodded. Flying Fox showed no anger or disappointment at my choice.

"Good. Choosing nothing is also a choice."

"Although this is an era where even that choice has become commonplace."

"Oh."

Perhaps Flying Fox found my words amusing. Flying Fox pulled out a notebook and began writing something down.

"Your name was Kim Dokja, correct?"

"Yes."

Come to think of it, Flying Fox was the Incarnation who had written the famous character encyclopedia, "Top 100 Strongest People."

Perhaps noticing my gaze, Flying Fox spoke awkwardly.

"Ah, keeping records is my hobby."

Would that be okay?

What would happen if Dokja ended up in "Top 100 Strongest People"? Wouldn't the future become far too distorted?

"Hmm. So this is how it turns out this time..."

This time?

Flying Fox, who had muttered those meaningful words, gave me a faint smile.

"I hope we get a chance to meet again, young man."

Hadn't Flying Fox's way of speaking changed just now?

With those final words, Flying Fox chose an Area and vanished into the Recycling Center.

I felt a little disappointed, but it didn't matter much. We were fated to enter the same Recycling Center anyway, so as Flying Fox said, we'd probably have another chance to talk.

I checked the Area selection message floating before me.

[You can choose from a total of 12 Areas.]

[Choose the Area to be entered.]

As the earlier explanation said, the lower levels of the Recycling Center were the territory of the Twelve Zodiacs.

There were twelve Areas based on the tendencies of each Zodiac, and the Incarnations could choose the Area they wanted.

[Area 1: Rat Ward]

[Area 2: Ox Ward]

[Area 3: Tiger Ward]

[Area 4: Rabbit Ward]

[Area 5: Dragon Ward]

[Area 6: Snake Ward]

[Area 7: Horse Ward]

[Area 8: Goat Ward]

[Area 9: Monkey Ward]

[Area 10: Rooster Ward]

[Area 11: Dog Ward]

[Area 12: Pig Ward]

From the Rat to the Pig.

Which would Mr. Dansu or Se-in have chosen?

When I looked beside me, little Junghyeok was also staring intently at the choices.

"Which one will you choose?"

"That's none of your concern."

Of course it wasn't.

[The Constellation One Who Made the Rat Win recommends Area 2: Ox Ward to you.]

One Who Made the Rat Win.

Judging by the modifier, that Constellation was associated with the Ox among the Twelve Zodiacs.

It had also come in second in the Twelve Zodiac Race, and considering that the Primeval Ox had been among the Constellations who sponsored me in the beginning, choosing Ox Ward wasn't a bad idea.

[The Constellation Dog Who Threw Himself into the Flames takes an interest in your choice.]

Dog Ward, Area 11, was also worth considering. Dog Who Threw Himself into the Flames was the only Constellation in the original story to take Dokja's side. Maybe this would be a chance to build a connection.

[The Constellation Nail-Eating Rat takes an interest in your choice.]

Nail-Eating Rat.

So it had been watching after all.

If I considered the Twelve Zodiac Race, choosing Area 1, which belonged to the victorious Rat, was another option.

But the Rat and Snake sides had Constellations from the Five Poisons Association.

They said that to catch a tiger, you had to enter its den. Choosing their home base outright was an option too, but...

Tiger.

Come to think of it, I had forgotten Tiger That Eats Rice Cakes.

Considering my promise with him, Area 3, Tiger Ward, was also a good choice. Tiger That Eats Rice Cakes had helped me before and shown me goodwill.

It was strange that I hadn't heard a single Indirect Message from Tiger That Eats Rice Cakes, though...

I could also choose Area 5, Dragon Ward, or Area 9, Monkey Ward.

[1 minute remains until selection is complete.]

My deliberation didn't last long.

Because I was Dokja right now. And what Dokja had to say before choices like these was already decided.

"I won't choose any Area."

If Jieunyu had been here, she would have said, "Writer, this line got copy-pasted."

But I hadn't said it twice.

"You."

The one who had just spoken was little Junghyeok beside me.

"Don't imitate me."

I shrugged without answering.

Indirect Messages soon flew in one after another.

[The Constellation Dog Who Threw Himself into the Flames asks if you are serious.]

[The Constellation Pig Who Lives in a Brick House respects your choice.]

[The Constellation Nail-Eating Rat pities you.]

A few Incarnations who saw my choice also voiced their concerns.

"Are you serious? You've lost your mind."

"Ha ha, you didn't choose a Zodiac? Such recklessness..."

[This decision cannot be reversed.]

[Would you like to maintain this selection?]

I knew it was dangerous.

But if I chose one of the Twelve Zodiacs, I would ultimately be placed beneath the Constellation associated with it.

I didn't want that. The Demon King of Salvation probably felt the same way.

[The fable Heir to an Eternal Name nods.]

Little Junghyeok and I nodded at the same time. A cluster of light descended from the air and warmly embraced us.

[You have not chosen the Twelve Zodiacs.]

[A hidden selection has activated.]

[You have achieved a new achievement.]

[You are moving to District 13: Void Ward.]

District 13, Void Ward.

As expected, there had been an option not to choose a Zodiac.

What unfolded before my eyes after the warp was a city of dazzling neon signs. Buildings that somehow reminded me of near-future Earth. The lights of skyscrapers flashing in the distance.

No matter how I looked at it, it was a setting somewhat removed from the world of the Twelve Zodiacs.

This was District 13?

[A linked Scenario has activated!]

Category: Main

Difficulty: ???

Clear Conditions: ???

Time Limit: ―

Reward: ???

Failure: ―

The Main Scenario's title had changed as well. Yet its essential details, such as the Clear Conditions and reward, were still hidden.

So I had to find out for myself.

[A linked Scenario has activated!]

[An Event Scenario occurs in this Area every Night.]

An Event Scenario that occurred every Night.

It felt strangely familiar.

[You can obtain rewards if you survive the Event Scenario.]

I briefly scanned the street and saw Incarnations glancing at us.

Most of them were beastfolk.

A giraffe with one leg replaced by machinery. An elephant with broken tusks. A lion with all its fur pulled out and one missing eye.

Looking closer, there weren't only beastfolk. There were also other races with animal origins, such as Orcs and gnomes.

What they had in common was that they, too, had mechanical arms or legs attached to their bodies.

It felt like a cyberpunk world.

[Tonight's event is The Three Little Pigs.]

[Find lodging before the event begins and survive.]

[1 hour remains until the event begins.]

At least it had a decent beginner's guide.

One hour wasn't much time. I had to hurry.

After glancing at little Junghyeok, I left him behind and began striding forward.

I sensed someone following me from several steps away.

After walking about twenty steps, I deliberately stopped. The footsteps behind me disappeared as well.

When I began walking again, hesitant footsteps followed after me.

I grinned and turned around.

"Why are you following me?"

Little Junghyeok flinched and froze in place.

"Because you are suspicious."

Little Junghyeok was diligently following me, dragging his oversized boots behind him.

The Demon King of Salvation would never have believed it.

"You should at least tie your shoelaces properly."

"I tied them."

His shoelaces were tied in a complete mess.

"Do you know those shoes have a special option?"

"A special option?"

"Just how much have you forgotten?"

Was this what it felt like to have a much younger sibling?

I thought that if I ever had a sibling, they would be a good kid like Yuseong.

I bent down slightly. Little Junghyeok took a step back warily, but my hands were faster.

"This is how you tie them."

The Noble One's Battle Boots activated their special option when their shoelaces were tied tightly in a specific way.

[The special option of the item Noble One's Battle Boots has activated!]

True to Junghyeok, who valued the basics, these battle boots possessed solid durability and resistance to various attributes.

They could also activate the auxiliary option, Remarkable Elasticity, allowing their size to be adjusted broadly enough to accommodate Junghyeok even when he activated Gigantification.

[The item's size has changed to fit its wearer!]

Little Junghyeok looked down at the battle boots, now tightened perfectly around his feet.

"You, how do you know something like this?"

"Are you surprised that I know how to tie shoelaces?"

"..."

"I'd like to ask how you don't even know this."

"Is my name Yu Junghyeok?"

I quietly looked into little Junghyeok's eyes.

If my guess was right, Junghyeok had lost his memories because of the side effect of 「Fable Engraving」.

It was probably because of 「Truth's Shackles」 or 「Emotion's Shackles」.

Even thinking back on it, the fighting ability of Junghyeok, who had become the "Black Beast," was so high that it was strange he hadn't suffered a Plausibility Backlash.

"Yes. You're the person who eats dirt."

"I don't eat dirt."

"Maybe you'll change your mind once you try it."

"Do you want to die?"

"If you kill me, you won't be able to find out who you are."

Little Junghyeok thought about something for a moment, then frowned.

"What's your name?"

"Kim Dokja."

"That's a strange name."

"I hear that enough to be sick of it."

We hadn't even talked much, yet I somehow felt nostalgic.

"What else do you know about me?"

"Before that, what do you remember?"

"Ten days."

"Ten days?"

"I remember that most of my memories will return after ten days."

Ten days. That was enough time.

"And that I need to find my stolen equipment."

"When was it stolen?"

"I don't know. I was like this when I woke up."

It seemed he had lost it while ascending the Star Ladder.

Considering the battle boots had appeared as a reward in the Recycling Center, his core items, such as the Infinite Dimensional Void Coat and Moon Halberd, could be in a similar situation.

I had to recover the Moon Halberd no matter what. It was the main weapon of the forty-first round's Junghyeok.

"And..."

"And?"

"I need to meet someone named Inho Cheon."

I paused for a moment.

"Why him?"

"I don't know. I remember that I have to meet him. If I meet him..."

I quietly grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground. If this kid remembered something, I planned to shove dirt into his mouth and bolt.

"I remember that I, before losing my memories, thought I could last at least ten days."

I blankly looked down at the dirt in my hand. When I opened my tightly clenched fist, the dirt slipped through my fingers.

Fortunately, I was wearing the Faceless Mask.

"I'll accompany you for about ten days. I'll help you stay alive."