WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 93: Episode 19 - Singularity (1)

It was my first time entering a dokkaebi’s Gamtu, so while Bihyeong busied himself managing the constellations, I took the opportunity to shuffle through the documents scattered on a nearby table.

[Singularity Trend Report]

…Singularity? Flipping through a few pages out of curiosity, the documents crumbled into powder. They were probably just system-generated data rather than actual papers. Bihyeong glanced my way.

“…What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

As I brushed the powder off the table, Bihyeong gave me a suspicious look but soon sighed and spoke.

“Hey, are we really going to be okay?”

“What? Regretting it now?”

Bihyeong rolled his eyes nervously and sighed, switching to Dokkaebi Communication.

―That’s not it… Don’t you know? Constellations that join like this tend to leave just as quickly.

When they left, they’d return to the Tokyo Dome’s channel, and that’s when Dokgak’s retaliation would begin. But that was a problem for another time.

―And by the way, what’s your plan for that lie you told earlier? What are you going to do if the subscriber count actually exceeds ten thousand? We’re already over five thousand!

I just shrugged silently, prompting more complaints from Bihyeong.

―When we signed the contract, you made it clear that you wouldn’t pick a patron. Even if it was improvisation, why’d you say something like that?

‘We’ll figure it out. Worst case, you can cancel the contract.’

―No way.

‘Wow, I put my life on the line for you, and you’re telling me no?’

Bihyeong’s face darkened.

―That’s not…

Well, it was my fault for expecting anything different.

‘Relax. I’ve got a plan.’

―…Really?

‘Yeah, now give me some items. With Dokgak gone, the reward rights must’ve transferred to you, right?’

―Oh, right.

Bihyeong finally manipulated the system. A few moments later, a white coat fluttered down from the air. Its clean design made it evident that it wasn’t just practical for combat but also stylish. I checked its inner pocket immediately.

[The unique property Subspace of the Infinite Dimensional Subspace Coat has been activated.]

The coat’s advantage was that I could store various items without the [Inventory] skill. Considering the hassle of carrying around items like the Ganpyeongui, Dragon Jar, Donguibogam, and Mana Brazier, it was perfect for me.

“…But it’s white instead of the color shown in the catalog?”

“Other colors are sold out.”

Sold out? How many of these items were there?

“You didn’t know? This is a mass-produced item.”

Something clicked in my mind, and I checked the item’s details.

+

<Item Information>

Name: Infinite Dimensional Subspace Coat ver.1.1 (made by the Mass Production Maker)

Grade: SSS

Description: A custom coat designed for returnees. Despite being a mass-produced product, it has received the inexplicable rating of SSS. To accommodate special returnees who cannot activate attribute windows, the inner pocket contains the additional option of ‘Subspace.’ However, the limited space requires careful use.

+

Even after re-reading, it was puzzling. The subspace was useful, sure, but how did this get an SSS rating? Even the Heart of the Ancient Dragon Ignitus was rated SS…

“Honestly, the maker’s influence played a role. That constellation is pretty powerful.”

That made sense. The Mass Production Maker was famous among returnees. Even if the rating was a bit inflated, it was undeniably a top-tier item for this stage of the game. I’d gotten what I came for.

“Let’s head back.”

With a snap of Bihyeong’s fingers, the surroundings began to shift. I blinked once, and I was no longer in Dokgak’s Gamtu but back on the ground. Suyeong recoiled in shock as she saw me suddenly appear.

“Hey! Where the hell did you go?”

“Just had to take care of something.”

“Whatever it was, judging by the new coat, it worked out fine.”

She eyed my coat with a hint of envy before glancing at Junghyeok, who was still unconscious. Alternating her gaze between his black coat and my white one, she smirked.

“What is this, couple outfits?”

“It’s just a coincidence. It’s a common design.”

[The constellation Demonic Judge of Fire is inexplicably delighted.]

[A constellation who enjoys gender swaps sparkles with interest.]

…Come to think of it, there were some eccentric constellations who joined earlier. Who even was this gender-swapping constellation? Was there such a character in TWSA?

[The constellation Demonic Judge of Fire glares at the gender-swapping constellation.]

As that thought passed, I decided to check Junghyeok’s condition. Thankfully, his recovery seemed to be going smoothly. His breathing was stable, and his wounds were healing.

“Let’s leave before he wakes up.”

Junghyeok, lying unconscious with his fists clenched, would undoubtedly create chaos the moment he regained consciousness.

I left Gangdong-gu with Suyeong, carrying Sangah on my back. She was still passed out from exhaustion. When we returned to the battlefield where we fought Antinus, Lycaon was nowhere to be found. Since there was no corpse, he must’ve survived. But why hadn’t he returned to me? He must’ve been severely injured after being hit by the catastrophe’s fragment…

Suyeong kept glancing back and asked, “Are you sure it’s okay to leave them like that?”

“It’s fine.”

“But that’s the Poison Beauty. Can you trust her?”

I had entrusted the unconscious Junghyeok to Seolhwa, the Poison Beauty.

“She’s not a bad person at heart. The parasite made her that way.”

In timelines unaffected by the guides, Lee Seolhwa was known as Medicine Sage, not Poison Beauty. She would likely regain that title in this round as well.

―Take Junghyeok to Gaebong-dong. There should be a military unit called the 5603rd Division there. Inside, you’ll find a pitiful soldier waiting.

I had told Seolhwa about Hyeonseong’s location based on Junghyeok’s suggestion.

Trying to strengthen every companion myself had been my arrogance. Even as a completionist reader, I was just one person with limited time and information. Perhaps the best trainer for Hyeonseong right now wasn’t me, but Junghyeok.

“I’m hungry. Should we eat that?”

I pointed to a plant species that had wrapped itself around a tall building.

[The tier-7 plant species Yanaspleta is watching you.]

The massive sunflower-like eye of the plant turned toward us, making Han Suyeong flinch.

“…Eat that? Are you serious?”

“There’s nothing else to eat, so we might as well. According to TWSA, it’s supposed to be pretty tasty. It’s not even fully grown yet, so it’ll be easy to hunt.”

“Ugh…”

Despite her look of disgust, Suyeong began summoning her avatars. Together, we severed the plant's stalk and cut down its flailing tendrils. Before long, the connection to its roots was severed, and Yanaspleta’s giant eye closed.

It struck me how much stronger I’d become. Even if it was just a juvenile, a tier-7 plant species wasn’t something I’d have dealt with this easily before.

“You’re eating too, right?”

“…We’ll see.”

“Fine, I’ll cook it.”

Following what I’d read in TWSA, I started preparing the Yanaspleta. First, I peeled off the tough outer layer of the stalk, revealing tender, crab-like pink flesh inside. I sprinkled a pinch of herb salt I’d scavenged from a nearby grocery store.

“This is… a plant, right?” Suyeong’s eyes sparkled as she watched.

“Yes.”

“Can you eat it raw?”

“Of course not. I’ll roast it.”

Breaking apart some nearby wooden debris, I skewered the Yanaspleta chunks and placed them over my Mana Brazier. Even on medium heat, it took a while to cook due to the plant’s grade. I turned the skewers occasionally, sprinkling more herb salt as the aroma of roasted meat filled the air.

“This smells amazing.”

“Wait. Don’t just eat it.”

I stopped her hand mid-reach and handed her a cup of tea I’d brewed earlier.

“What’s this?”

“It’s juice from the Yanaspleta stalk. You have to drink this first.”

Suyeong gave me a skeptical look but took a sip. Her expression changed instantly, her face lighting up. After finishing the tea, she began tearing into the skewers with great enjoyment.

“Slow down a little.”

“This is incredible. You could be a chef!”

“Maybe in a post-apocalyptic world.”

The sight of her cheeks puffed out with food reminded me of a five-year-old. I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

[A few constellations curious about cooking take an interest in your dish.]

[Some constellations who favor rapid progression and violence complain.]

[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband sneers, telling them to just sit back and watch.*]

One week remained before the fifth scenario began.

The catastrophes of Fire and Questions had already been dealt with, and the story was progressing smoothly. Once Junghyeok awoke, he would take Hyeonseong and attack the west, while the north would be handled by the King of Wanderers.

The only remaining threat was the Catastrophe of the Central Zone.

As I chewed on a skewer of roasted Yanaspleta, I glanced at Yu Sangah, still unconscious nearby.

“Sangah-ssi.”

Though she seemed fast asleep, her lips twitched slightly.

“I know you’re awake. Come eat with us.”

Sangah didn’t stir, though a faint rumble echoed from her stomach.

“She’s probably sleeping. Guess we’ll just eat it all ourselves. Wow, this part tastes just like sirloin—”

“W-wait!”

Her voice, barely above a whisper, stopped me. Sangah slowly sat up, her gaze shy. There was no way someone like her, who expended so much energy earlier, wouldn’t react to the aroma of roasted food.

I glanced at Suyeong, still stuffing her face.

“Hey, you’ve had enough. Get up.”

“Why?”

“Do I really need to explain?”

Suyeong likely knew Sangah had been awake for a while. She also probably understood that her presence was why Sangah had hesitated to join us.

“Fine. This is annoying.”

Grumbling, Han Suyeong stomped off into the darkness, skewers in hand. Only after her figure disappeared completely did Sangah tentatively approach the fire.

Crackle, crackle.

The skewers sizzled invitingly over the flames. I handed one to Sangah, who hesitated before accepting it. She took a small bite, then another, until she had devoured the entire skewer.

“…It’s delicious.”

Watching her now, it was hard to imagine this was the same person who had brandished blades at me earlier that day.

“Take your time.”

Even so, the twin daggers at her waist were a stark reminder of the blood on her hands. A month had passed since the apocalypse began, and much had changed.

Sangah ate quietly, while I occasionally joined her in picking at the skewers. The flavor was surprisingly exquisite.

Staring into the flames of the mana brazier, Sangah murmured, “We… we can’t go back to how things used to be, right?”

Her words lacked a subject or object, but I nodded.

“Probably not.”

Her trembling hands were pitiable, hands that had killed to survive, stealing freedom from others. Those hands, now stained with blood, rose to cover her face. Her shoulders shook faintly as silent sobs wracked her body.

“It’s not your fault, Sangah-ssi.”

I couldn’t tell if my words comforted her. She broke into audible sobs, tears falling onto the ground along with the skewer she had been holding.

I watched her cry for what felt like hours, the sound of her weeping eventually fading into silence.

If you consumed Yanaspleta’s flesh without drinking its juice, it had a potent sedative effect. As Yu Sangah finally fell asleep, I muttered softly,

“It really isn’t your fault.”

Though my words were directed at her…

“It’s about time you showed yourself.”

In the distance, faint growls of wild beasts echoed through the ruined city. My voice carried through the silence as I stared at Sangah.

“Are you planning to keep pretending?”

“…”

“I don’t know why you’ve been observing me, but you must understand by now.”

The glow of Unbreakable Faith revealed a shining white blade in the darkness.

“I don’t hesitate when it comes to achieving my goals.”

The gleaming edge pressed gently against Yu Sangah’s pale neck.

“So you’d better start talking. Unless you want to see your precious incarnation die.”

This was a game of chicken. Slowly, I pressed the blade further against her neck, drawing a thin line of blood.

Sangah’s eyes flew open.

[The exclusive skill Fourth Wall reduces your mental shock.]

A violent wind surged as I was hurled backward. The overwhelming presence radiating from Yu Sangah made my heart pound. Her body emitted radiant light, and her discolored pupils locked onto me. Within them swirled the shadows of a distant nebula.

A thunderous voice echoed in my mind, threatening to burst it apart.

[How dare a mere human…]

I wiped the blood from my mouth and smiled.

Finally, you’ve shown yourself.

The constellations of the damned Olympus.

Footnotes:

[1]

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