WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 97: Episode 19 — Singularity (5)
It felt like I had just dozed off for a moment, but when I opened my eyes, it was still early dawn.
[The constellation Demonic Judge of Fire urges you to take care of your incarnation.]
I woke up without realizing it due to Uriel's message. Damn, ever since I made the 'declaration of patronage' yesterday, the constellations have been behaving like this nonstop.
[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband chuckles at your choice.]
Honestly, calling it a patron is a bit of an overstatement. I hadn’t even properly established my narrative yet, how could I be a real patron? A constellation who couldn’t even lend a single stigma couldn’t possibly be a proper patron. Still, I probably had more surplus funds than the average high-ranking figure.
[Many constellations are curious about your choice.]
[Some constellations find your actions presumptuous.]
The reaction to my declaration to sponsor Yuseong was divided. Those who showed curiosity were likely from the 'Incarnation Seekers,' while those who considered it insolent probably belonged to the 'Thrill Seekers,' particularly the ones who disliked me.
Of course, there was one whose allegiance remained unclear.
[The constellation Secretive Plotter watches your strategy with interest.]
[You have received 1,000 coins.]
When I first saw that title modifier, I thought it referred to a high-ranking constellation. But lately, my perspective has changed. Considering the average scale of their sponsorships and their relaxed attitude, that individual was at least Fabled. However, no matter how much I scoured the Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, I couldn’t find the name 'Secretive Plotter.' That left two possibilities: they were a constellation from a different dimension or one that wasn’t properly covered in the TWSA. Who could they be?
Vroom.
From last night, Yuseong had been practicing her skills in a corner of the abandoned building. She had stockpiled mana recovery potions I gave her and was repeatedly casting skills on a captured young Groll nearby.
A faint aura emanating from her brushed against the Groll's surface. It was the power of [Interspecies Communication] I had seen from Gilyeong.
Looking at Yuseong, with dark circles under her eyes, I asked, “Yuseong, did you get any sleep?”
“Not yet.”
“If you don’t sleep, you’ll incur penalties. Rest first, then practice.”
“…Just a little more.”
[The character Shin Yuseong has activated the skill Interspecies Communication Lv. 8.]
[The character Shin Yuseong has activated the skill Taming Lv. 7.]
…
[Taming has failed!]
[The monster has gone berserk!]
The Groll, momentarily out of control, charged at Yuseong. Before I could move, Suyeong, who had been muttering in her sleep, threw a dagger. With a loud thwack, the young Groll was pinned to the wall of the abandoned building, lifeless. Suyeong rolled over in her sleep again. Shin Yuseong’s face fell. Watching her dejected expression, I activated a skill.
[The exclusive skill Character Profile has been activated.]
In summary mode.
+
<Character Summary>
Name: Shin Yuseong
Exclusive attributes: Beast Tamer (Rare), Reflective Killer (Common)
Exclusive skills: [Taming Lv. 7], [Interspecies Communication Lv. 8], [Agile Feet Lv. 8], [Interspecies Affinity Lv. 6]
Stigma: None
Overall stats: [Vitality Lv. 19], [Strength Lv. 14], [Agility Lv. 44], [Mana Lv. 45]
*Currently using the Growth Package I.
*Currently using the Growth Package II.
*Currently using the New Scenario Commemoration Package.
+
As expected, using two growth packages led to extraordinary skill growth speed.
Adding the New Scenario Commemoration Package, which promotes attribute evolution, made her even more exceptional. Among the incarnations in Korea, there were probably few who received this level of support.
Since she was already talented, her [Interspecies Communication] would soon surpass level 10 and evolve into [Advanced Interspecies Communication].
The problem was that despite her abilities, she couldn’t properly tame even a tier-8 monster like the Groll. From a system standpoint, this didn’t make sense. Yuseong lowered her head in shame.
“…I guess I have no talent.”
“You’re plenty talented.”
I couldn’t leave such a precious incarnation to wallow in despair. Yuseong likely couldn’t harness her full strength due to lingering trauma.
“Is there something on your mind?”
“…It’s scary.”
It wasn’t hard to guess what she was afraid of.
“A monster isn’t a pet.”
“I know that.”
Yuseong had killed the dog she once raised with her own hands to survive. That memory had likely left an indelible mark on her heart.
After a moment of thought, I spoke. “You know, if you clear all the scenarios, you can make a wish come true…”
“Ahjussi, your nostrils flare when you lie.”
…Now that I think about it, Gilyeong used to say the same thing. Perhaps those with [Interspecies Communication] were particularly sensitive to body language. I wasn’t adept at comforting others. Sensing my awkwardness, she asked, “Do you think I can do well?”
“Of course. I chose you.”
Shin Yuseong’s eyes trembled slightly.
“I chose you over Seoul. And I don’t regret it.”
“…”
“You can do better than anyone.”
She stared at me for a while, then lowered her head, clenching and unclenching her fingers. Finally, she glanced at my face from different angles.
“Ahjussi, if I get really strong…”
“If you get strong, then what?”
After a long hesitation, Yuseong smiled faintly.
“It’s nothing. I’ll try harder.”
She then turned back to continue casting her skills.
…I couldn’t shake the ominous feeling.
Suddenly, I recalled what Shin Yuseong was like in the original TWSA.
「“Junghyeok oppa is so handsome.”」
「“Junghyeok oppa is the best.”」
「“Junghyeok oppa is my favorite.”」
…Right, this kid was a fan of Yu Junghyeok in the original TWSA.
Because of her age, she obviously wasn’t a heroine candidate. She had more of a younger-sister role, following him around like a puppy. If I remembered correctly, she used to fight constantly with Yu Mia…
Thinking about it suddenly made me worry. What if, after all the effort I’m putting into raising her, she ends up being taken away by Junghyeok?
I glanced over and saw Suyeong stretching as she woke up. When our eyes met, she turned her head with a snort.
That brat had been sulking all day yesterday.
“Hey.”
“What.”
“Are you going to keep pouting?”
“Don’t talk to me.”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
I lowered my voice so Yuseong couldn’t hear.
“...How do I compare to Junghyeok in terms of looks?”
Suyeong stared at me as if she’d found a bug in her soup.
“What kind of question is that supposed to be?”
“I’m genuinely curious.”
Ever since I graduated high school, I hadn’t given much thought to my appearance. But from Yu Junghyeok’s sister’s reaction to the way the prophets behaved, it seemed like people weren’t all that impressed with my looks.
I sometimes took selfies in the bathroom, and I didn’t think I was particularly bad-looking.
[The constellation who loves to flirt gazes at you with pity.]
“Just accept it.”
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, I was just curious…”
“All I can offer is sympathy.”
Damn it.
“...Is it that bad?”
I quietly looked over at Yuseong.
I made up my mind.
Under no circumstances would I let her meet Junghyeok.
We hunted the monsters in the area whenever we had free time, steadily accumulating coins.
Every coin I earned went straight to supporting Shin Yuseong. Thanks to that, her stats were growing at a shocking rate.
I focused her coin investments on Agility and Magic Power.
Those two stats were crucial to maximizing [Agile Feet], [Taming], and [Inter-Species Communication].
By the time another day had passed and night fell, Yuseong finally mastered [Advanced Interspecies Communication]. However, she still hadn’t succeeded with [Taming]. Shin Yuseong asked me,
“...Do you think I’ll be much stronger in the future?”
Of course.
If it came to a head-on fight, the future Shin Yuseong would crush her current self.
But by concentrating her training now, she could unlock the abilities the future Yuseong wielded. What made the Catastrophe of Floods so dangerous was her ability to command an entire army by herself.
“Trust the present version of yourself more than the future.”
If her future self could do it, then the current Yuseong had the same potential. By challenging her future self, she could tip the odds in our favor. After all, her future self would never kill her present self.
“Thank you for the food.”
Yuseong cleared away the remains of the Groll she’d roasted. She clasped her hands together briefly in a prayer-like motion.
“Do you have a religion, Sangah-ssi?”
“No, I’m not religious.”
“Then why were you praying…”
“To the gods of Olympus.”
Her prayer was so practical that I was momentarily speechless. Then again, considering that the gods we knew had become real, it made sense that prayer targets were now very specific.
“Suyeong and I will take the first watch tonight. You can rest, Yuseong.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Yuseong nodded and went to sleep first. Suyeong leaned against the opposite wall, fiddling with her smartphone.
It was an inherently uncomfortable situation. The two of them were fundamentally opposed to one another. Suyeong’s ideology stood at odds with Sangah’s, and their future paths would inevitably lead to clashes rather than cooperation.
Once Sangah fell asleep, only the faint crackle of the campfire broke the silence. Suyeong spoke first.
“Hey, get some sleep.”
I lay down but couldn’t drift off. We had just four days left until the start of the fifth scenario. Yuseong still hadn’t made significant progress, and a message had arrived from the Gangseo area earlier today:
[Someone has defeated the Catastrophe of Ice descending from the west.]
I didn’t need to guess who had done it. If the catastrophe had been left unchecked, it would’ve turned Seoul into an ice age. Junghyeok had dealt with it directly. He had likely met Hyeonseong as well.
Suyeong, watching the embers of the fire, suddenly asked, “Hey, can I ask you something?”
“You’re ugly.”
Suyeong frowned.
“Who asked about that, you idiot?”
“Then what is it?”
“What are you trying to do?”
“Trying to do?”
“What’s your goal? Every time I see you, I don’t get it. Destroying the Absolute Throne, not killing that kid… What are you after?”
“I want to see a specific ending.”
“An ending?”
I nodded lightly. Surprisingly, Suyeong didn’t pry further. Instead, she changed the topic.
“I wanted to write my own ending too.”
“Your novel?”
“Yeah.”
“Let me ask you something.”
“What?”
“Why’d you plagiarize? You’re good at writing.”
“I didn’t plagiarize, okay? You treat TWSA like some kind of holy text, but it’s just another novel that borrowed ideas. Transcendent beings giving support, survival missions, game systems, and regressor protagonists—these are common tropes these days. Finding a novel without them is harder.”
“But yours is the most similar.”
“There’s a reason for that. Want me to tell you a story? Once upon a time, there was a poor girl—”
“If it’s the story of a starving writer who turned to plagiarism to make a living, I’ll pass.”
Suyeong gaped at me, her lips twitching.
“You can read minds, can’t you?”
“...What?”
“Admit it. Something like that is possible, right?”
“I’m not some god. If I had a skill like that, I wouldn’t be struggling here.”
[The character Han Suyeong has activated the skill Lie Detection Lv. 3.]
[The character Han Suyeong has confirmed that the statement is false.]
Suyeong snickered.
“Well, if you can, read my mind now.”
“I can’t.”
“I really didn’t plagiarize.”
She activated [Lie Detection] on herself, proving her claim.
...What?
“I read TWSA, yes, but the similarities were a coincidence. I just wrote down the dream I had.”
[The character Han Suyeong has confirmed that the statement is true.]
...Now she was using her subconscious as a shield.
“You saw it. If I dreamed it, it must’ve been a dream.”
“Maybe.”
“Still…” Suyeong hesitated. “Lately, I’ve been wondering.”
“About what?”
“What if this reality is based on an original story, and I’m just a reproduction of that original? Wouldn’t that make me a plagiarist by default?”
“That sounds like an excuse to dodge accountability.”
“It’s just something that crossed my mind.”
I had considered similar thoughts ever since the TWSA became reality. Was this world a layer over the novel, or had reality transformed into the novel? Shaking off the thought, I stood.
“Let’s switch shifts. You sleep first. If you keep overthinking, we’ll lose constellations on the channel.”
“I’ve already lost support since tagging along with you.”
“That’s because you keep being infuriating.”
We bickered for a bit before falling silent. Leaning against the wall of the abandoned building, I watched Suyeong fall asleep, snoring softly.
Funny enough, a thought crossed my mind.
Maybe it wasn’t so bad having her here.
The peculiar comfort of knowing I wasn’t the only one who understood that this world was a novel…
Eventually, I nodded off too.
It was a short but sweet rest.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, Han Suyeong was lying cold, lifeless.
Footnotes:
[1]
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