WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 76: Episode 15 - A Kingless World (6)

When I came to my senses, Song Minwoo was already right in front of me. His speed was astonishing. You’d need an Agility of at least 40 to move this fast.

“Is it you guys?”

His growling voice carried a beastly undertone. He had fully transformed into an Inhuman species.

[The Tier-6 Inhuman species Werewolf Song Minwoo has activated the skill Predatory Threat Lv.5!]

[The character Han Suyeong has activated the skill Mental Barrier Lv.3!]

[The character Han Suyeong has partially nullified the effects of Predatory Threat.]

In an instant, his hand grabbed Suyeong by the collar.

“Gah…”

Even though she wasn’t in peak condition, the fact that Suyeong could be subdued this easily spoke volumes about his strength.

A Tier-6 Inhuman species.

The worst kind of enemy to face right now. This was different from the Tier-5 Fire Dragon species I fought before. Back then, I had an overwhelming advantage due to elemental compatibility and the sluggish movements of giant beasts.

But now…

“Was it you who destroyed my coin farm?”

Though framed as a question, his tone betrayed certainty. His predator-like yellow eyes gleamed, sharp fangs visible beneath them. Han Suyeong yelled at me.

“What are you doing? Snap out of it!”

I activated ‘Blade of Faith,’ and Suyeong used [Avatar]. Almost simultaneously, Minwoo’s powerful kick came flying toward us.

Thud!

The Avatar’s forming head shattered, and I was sent flying through the air.

[The Tier-6 Inhuman species Werewolf Song Minwoo has activated the skill Acceleration Lv.5.]

His strikes came at such an incredible speed that they were almost imperceptible.

Head, shoulders, abdomen—he attacked indiscriminately. I could feel the air being knocked out of me with each blow. Suyeong’s muffled voice echoed in my ears.

“Kim Dokja!”

…No, there’s no way an Inhuman species should be this strong.

It was too late to dodge. I hurriedly increased my overall stats and curled up to brace myself.

[You have invested 16,000 coins into Vitality.]

[Vitality Lv.24 → Vitality Lv.50.]

[The resilience of a Giant species flows through your entire body.]

The pain quickly subsided to a manageable level.

But the situation was far from over.

“Kim Dokja? That name rings a bell…”

I heard Minwoo mutter. Peering through my guard, I could see his face. That moment, I realized what the problem was. It wasn’t that he was strong. The problem… was me.

[The effects of Predatory Threat are reducing your fighting spirit.]

[The effects of Predatory Threat are slowing your movements.]

This didn’t make sense. I’d overcome the threat of the Tier-5 Fire Dragon species, and yet here I was, faltering against someone like this? I had [The Fourth Wall]...

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

I had experienced something similar before. In the Cinema Dungeon, fighting Junghyeok. And again, when I immersed myself in his perspective during the first-person scenario… But now, Junghyeok wasn’t here. So why?

Minwoo snarled and unsheathed his claws, gripping my collar tighter.

“…Your face looks familiar. You know me, don’t you?”

—Hey, Dokja. What are you doing?

A familiar voice overlapped with his.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

Grabbing his wrist, I replied, “No idea.”

“Really? Because I think I remember you.”

—Stop reading that crap and go buy some bread, will you?

[The Tier-6 Inhuman species Werewolf Song Minwoo has activated the skill Memory Enhancement Lv.3.]

“I know you.”

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

…Damn it. So that’s what it is. I finally understood the nature of [The Fourth Wall].

A grin spread across Minwoo’s face.

“It’s fascinating. A loser like you managed to survive all this time. The guy who did nothing but read novels…”

“…”

“You’re the one who got caught reading a novel in computer class and got beaten up by me, right? Don’t you remember?”

A delayed wave of anger surged through my mind.

“I’m Song Minwoo. You should at least remember a classmate’s face. I was wondering if you were still alive, and look at this—found you.”

When I was 17, I had thought, If I had the power, I’d tear this bastard apart.

Minwoo smirked.

“By the way, that novel you were reading back then… Where can I find it?”

At his words, an old memory surfaced. I recalled him sitting at my desk, scrolling through the novel I’d been reading, while I was being beaten by his gang.

…No way.

—Seriously, you otaku bastard. How can you even enjoy crap like this?

What an irony. Of all things, the novel he’d read back then was…

Before I could finish the thought, his fist slammed into my abdomen, sending me flying again. My back caved into the wall of a building upon impact, just as Suyeong’s Avatar launched a counterattack against Minwoo.

Crash!

The crumbling wall collapsed on top of me.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

[The Fourth Wall]. My exclusive skill since the beginning. I still didn’t know all its functions, but one thing had become clear:

This skill allowed me to perceive this world as a ‘novel.’

I had often found it strange. The level-headed decisions and actions I could take in this world—things I’d never have managed in reality. It was as if I were observing this world from an outsider’s perspective. All of this was thanks to [The Fourth Wall].

“What the hell… What are you doing?”

An angry voice broke through. As the rubble was cleared away, Suyeong stood in front of me, blocking my view. Her Avatars, now numbering in the dozens, had taken positions in the corridors of the crumbling building, fighting off Song Minwoo and the werewolves.

Blood poured endlessly from Han Suyeong’s nose, and her face was streaked with swollen veins. She had squeezed out every drop of her power to fight like this. Han Suyeong really was incredible.

“You told me to trust you earlier, and now you’re lying here like this?!”

As I slowly stood up, the pain in my bones—bruised before I’d boosted my stats—flared again. It was a raw, physical pain, something I’d almost forgotten. [The Fourth Wall] had always cushioned me against this kind of suffering.

[Several constellations are startled by the unexpected turn of events.]

I brushed off the dust and stood upright despite the pain.

“I was in the middle of a self-awakening event.”

“…What?”

“Winning all the time gets boring, doesn’t it? Sometimes you need adversity to make it interesting.”

“Oh, so getting the crap kicked out of you was part of the plan, huh?”

“I needed some time to think.”

[Several Constellations are relieved.]

[The Fourth Wall] allowed me to perceive reality as if it were fiction. But if that perception was breaking down, the reason was obvious.

Roaaaaarrrrr—!

It meant I was starting to see Song Minwoo as part of my reality. This was the bastard who had tormented me, turning my teenage years into a tragedy.

“...You know that guy?”

Suyeong, ever perceptive, had figured something out from my reaction. She hesitated before adding, “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help overhearing…”

I sighed, knowing it was pointless to deny it. “Yeah, I know him.”

“I figured.”

“From when I was a kid. It’s just some cliché trauma.”

“Trauma isn’t ever cliché. It’s always serious.”

Suyeong wiped the blood dripping from her nose and spit on the ground.

“Pfft! So, what’s the problem? Let this unni give you a pep talk and awaken your latent power. Isn’t that how TWSA works?”

“Do I look like Lee Hyeonseong to you?”

In the end, this was something I had to resolve on my own. If [The Fourth Wall] wavered every time I ran into someone who triggered my trauma, my future would be nothing but trouble.

Besides, I wasn’t a 17-year-old high school kid anymore.

I was 28.

No longer the teenager cowering before a school bully.

[The constellation who enjoys revenge reveals their modifier.]

[The constellation The One who Overcame the Trials a Little Too Late cheers for you.]

[Several constellations express their agreement.]

[A Bounty Scenario has arrived.]

+

<Bounty Scenario – Overcoming Trauma>

Category: Sub-scenario

Difficulty: C

Clear conditions: Several constellations, including the The One who Overcame the Trials a Little Too Late, have requested this bounty scenario. Overcome your trauma and escape the specter of your past within the time limit.

Time limit: 1 hour

Reward: ???

Penalty of failure: Disdain from The One who Overcame the Trials a Little Too Late.

+

The One who Overcame the Trials a Little Too Late—I’d seen this constellation in TWSA before. If I remembered correctly, they were from another planetary system. Then again, considering the beings that would appear during the fifth scenario, it made sense that their appearances were becoming more frequent now.

In any case, this was the very definition of a blessing in disguise.

I tossed the Samyeong Daesa’s Rob to Suyeong.

“Wipe your nose and stay back.”

“What?”

“That’s enough for now.”

I pushed past Suyeong’s Avatars and charged into the pack of werewolves.

[You have invested 6,000 Coins into Agility.]

[Agility Lv.30 → Agility Lv.40.]

[The swiftness of the wind flows through your body.]

[You have invested 15,500 Coins into Strength.]

[Strength Lv.25 → Strength Lv.50.]

[Your muscles writhe like those of a monster.]

I should have done this sooner.

I had been holding back ever since I took that hit from the ‘Plausibility Storm.’

[The special property of Unbreakable Faith has been activated.]

[The ether attribute has changed to Holy.]

With a sharp hum, the blade transformed. There was no reason I couldn’t win this fight. [The Fourth Wall] had crumbled momentarily, clouding my judgment, but I still had plenty of ways to deal with these enemies.

And I intended to use them all.

Slash!

The werewolves crumpled as they were cleaved apart by my blade. They were dark attribute creatures, so they were inherently vulnerable to the holy attribute.

On top of that, I didn’t have to worry about any penalties for not killing them.

As I mentioned before, Inhuman species aren’t humans.

They are not my kind.

In the midst of the pack, Minwoo’s face came into view. His eyes widened as they landed on me. Behind me, an Suyeong called out, her voice strained.

“Hey! Are you sure you’re okay?”

I didn’t answer. The odds were still stacked against me.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

Even so, something was different now.

“I’m fine. My awakening event is over.”

I charged straight at Minwoo.

Minwoo’s body moved at incredible speed, his agility was amplified by [Acceleration Lv.5] after all. Combined with his naturally high agility, his movements were nearly impossible to track.

I didn’t have a proper movement skill, so I had to resort to brute force.

[You have invested 7,000 Coins into Agility.]

[Agility Lv.40 → Agility Lv.50.]

[The swiftness of a gale flows through your body.]

If I didn’t have a skill, I could make up for it with stats.

I dodged his claws with ease, raising my blade to counter.

“Graaah!”

As his severed arm spun through the air, I swung my blade again, cutting off his remaining arm. Minwoo, now off-balance, stumbled, and I didn’t miss the opportunity. I sliced through his legs as well.

Within moments, his limbs had been severed.

Minwoo let out a guttural roar as his severed parts began to regenerate. This was the trait of the werewolves, [Physical Regeneration].

At that rate of healing, he must’ve been granted a blessing by someone. But that suited me just fine.

[The constellation The One who Overcame the Trials a Little Too Late is watching your actions with interest.]

The goal of the bounty scenario wasn’t to kill him but to overcome my trauma. Simply ending him wouldn’t satisfy the constellation.

Deactivating ‘Blade of Faith,’ I raised my fists instead.

[You have invested 8,000 Coins into Strength.]

[Strength Lv.50 → Strength Lv.60.]

[Your strength begins to draw the interest of the Giants.]

[Your overall stats have nearly reached the limits of this scenario.]

Grabbing the regenerated Minwoo by the collar, I slammed him into the ground.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall is trembling.]

As I stared into his face, memories of my 17-year-old self began to resurface. They were faint, like a distant echo, but still undeniable. It had been so long ago. Even so, those memories still carried a sting.

A bitter smile formed on my lips.

“Minwoo, I didn’t get to properly greet you earlier, did I?”

“What…?”

“Nice to see you again.”

I drove my fist into his abdomen.

“Gahh!”

“But seriously, man. Don’t you think you should start with an apology, instead of rambling about old classmates?”

I pummeled him repeatedly, my punches landing on his chest, stomach, and face.

“The little nerd reading fantasy novels—”

“That nerd grew up, you bastard.”

“You son of a—!”

“And yet, you’re still the same piece of trash.”

His teeth broke, his abs were torn, and his limbs fractured under the unrelenting barrage. The werewolves growled in fear but didn’t dare approach. I didn’t even need [Predatory Threat] to intimidate them.

True terror stems from overwhelming strength.

After about ten minutes, Minwoo, broken and battered, began to beg.

“P-please… stop…”

“Why should I?”

“I-I’m sorry! I was immature back then…”

For a moment, I hesitated. Immature. Of course, he was. I could understand that now. I wasn’t a child anymore.

But…

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. I’m not doing this to get an apology.”

There are some things you can understand but never forgive.

“The person you should be apologizing to isn’t me.”

“What… are you saying…?”

As I stared at Minwoo’s crushed face, fragments of my teenage years came back to me. The weak, helpless kid who only knew how to escape into books. Even if I couldn’t recall all the details, a part of that 17-year-old Kim Dokja still lived inside me. The trembling in my fists was proof of that.

Han Suyeong was right.

No trauma is ever trivial.

This kind of vengeance wouldn’t erase my scars. I’d still have nightmares, and the 17-year-old me would remain frozen in that time, reliving his pain. Nothing would change.

“Cough! P-please… no more…”

And yet, for some reason…

“Stop… please…”

I couldn’t stop.

Watching my fists continue to move despite my thoughts, even I was bewildered.

Minwoo groaned in agony as I struggled to rein in my emotions. To calm myself, I thought of TWSA. How would Yu Junghyeok handle this? I envisioned his various regressions:

「“You betrayed me. Die.”」

「“In a past regression, you betrayed me. Die.”」

「“Just die.”」

The absurdity of it made me laugh. That’s right. Junghyeok was that kind of person.

And I had grown up reading about him.

When my fists finally stopped, Minwoo was unconscious, his body utterly ruined. His shallow breathing indicated he wasn’t dead. I stared at him for a while, then murmured:

“…Looks like I still haven’t grown up.”

Reflected in the pool of werewolf blood was my face—28-year-old Kim Dokja.

How much of that 17-year-old Kim Dokja still remained inside me? I didn’t know. The only certainty was this:

“I’m still reading those fantasy novels.”

I had survived.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall has stabilized.]

[The clear condition for the bounty scenario has been met!]

Footnotes:

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