Episode 9 – Omniscient Sunfish (5)
The cold sensation numbed my fingers. Dammit, I really wanted to beat this guy up. But…
There was something strange.
"…Yoo Jonghyuk?"
This guy, he didn't look back. A grey-white aura was flowing from Yoo Jonghyuk's body. The aura felt ominous and caused my hairs to rise.
I instinctively took a step back. Looking closer, the aura was connected to an old man sitting on a chair on the eighth floor. I knew everything the moment I saw this old man.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has been revealed.]
…Dammit, it had become like this. Yoo Jonghyuk emanated the whitish aura and slowly turned towards me. It was the worst situation.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has controlled the character 'Yoo Jonghyuk.']
Goosebumps covered my entire body. A formidable killing intent was rising from the guy who lost all sense of reason. There was no 'character' in the world who could stop this guy now.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used Force Palm Lv. 4!]
I barely managed to open my mouth.
“W-Wait a minute!"
Kwaaaang!
I experienced a strong pain in my side and my consciousness became numb. As this person who did as he liked shot forward, pages flipped through my head. I was alert.
「 …The 8th turn Yoo Jonghyuk didn't die in Theatre Dungeon because he was weak. Strictly speaking, Yoo Jonghyuk wasn't lucky.
The boss of the 'Theatre Dungeon' is the worst opponent for a regressor lie Yoo Jonghyuk.. 」
My breathing was back.
“Kuhup…heook."
[The External Reinforced Suit is damaged.]
[There is a reduction in the defense.]
I got up while holding my abdomen. It was a really nonsensical attack power. I ate so many ampoules yet still received this much damage from one blow?
One blow dealt huge damage and I was blown away to the other side of the rooftop.
[The character 'Jung Heewon' has used Demon Slaying Lv. 2!]
In the distance, Jung Heewon's eyes were burning. I tried to get up but my body wasn't listening to me.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used Hundred Steps Godly Fists Lv. 4!]
The current Jung Heewon wasn't Yoo Jonghyuk's opponent. She could endure a few blows due to Demon Slaying but blood started to emerge from Jung Heewon's mouth.
Yoo Jonghyuk was much stronger than I expected.
[The exclusive skill, Character List is activated.]
[There is too much information about this person. Character List is converted to Summary List.]
[Only randomly specified items will be displayed according to User's convenience.]
[Character Summary List]
Name: Yoo Jonghyuk.
Private Attribute: Regressor (3rd turn) (Myth), Pro Gamer (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: Sage's Eyes Lv. 8, Hand to Hand Combat Lv. 8, Advanced Weapons Training Lv. 5, Mental Barrier Lv. 5, Hundred Steps Godly Fists Lv. 2, Red Phoenix Shunpo Lv. 1…Omitted…
Stigma: Regression Lv.3, Transmission Lv. 1
Overall Stats: Stamina Lv. 28, Strength Lv. 27, Agility Lv. 26, Magic Power Lv. 25.
* The character is currently in a loss of reason state.
This bastard. He activated a new stigma.
Transmission. It was a stigma that allowed Yoo Jonghyuk to wake up the skills he had in the past over time. Through this stigma, Yoo Jonghyuk would become a full-scale monster.
"Master!"
At this time, Lee Jihye came upstairs. The jerk flying towards Jung Heewon turned towards Lee Jihye.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa!
“Kyaaack!"
Thanks to the favour of the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare or maybe Ghost Walk, Lee Jihye fortunately avoided the blow. I shouted toward Lee Jihye.
“He is being controlled! Go after the theater master!"
However, Lee Jihye wasn't free enough to do so. In the end, we couldn't reach the theatre master without going through Yoo Jonghyuk.
Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye's eyes crossed. Their swords moved towards Yoo Jonghyuk at the same time.
It was the combo of Kendo and Sword Training. But the combo that damaged even the T-Rex didn't work on Yoo Jonghyuk.
"Kuheok!"
Lee Jihye was hit in the face with Hundred Steps Godly Fists, spat out blood and collapsed.
[The character 'Jung Heewon' has activated the exclusive skill 'Judgment Time.']
[The constellations of the Absolute Good system are silent at Jung Heewon's request.]
[The skill has been cancelled.]
Jung Heewon cursed.
"Dammit…not this guy as well?"
It was natural. Yoo Jonghyuk was ruthless but his essence was 'righteous.'
Jung Heewon was hit by a force punch and lost her sword, rolling across the ground. In this desperate moment, Lee Gilyoung used the special skill 'Mjolnir's Thunder' from behind me.
Kukukung!
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has offset the impact of the attack with 'Lightning Resistance.'
Yoo Jonghyuk looked this way. Shit. I knew he would be strong but… this much? I touched Lee Gilyoung's shoulder and staggered forward.
"Gilyoung. Please. Do you know what to do?"
Lee Gilyoung quickly noticed and immediately nodded.
"Yes Hyung."
“I’m sorry."
“No."
Lee Gilyoung started to mumble something straight away. Lee Gilyoung's pupils slowly reversed. I didn't want to do this but now I had to mobilize all my cards.
[You have used the Tyrant T-Rex's DNA Ampoule.]
[All stats will explosively increase for 30 minutes!]
Yes…let's fight you son of a bitch.
[Stamina Lv. 24 -> Stamina Lv. 34]
[Strength Lv. 24 -> Strength Lv. 34]
[Agility Lv. 20 -> Agility Lv. 30]
[Magic Power Lv. 15 -> Magic Power Lv. 25]
[The vitality in your body is rising!]
[The potential of your muscles have exploded!]
[You can move more agilely than before.]
[Your heart is seething with an unknown energy!]
The gap in insufficient skills was filled with overwhelming stats.
If Yoo Jonghyuk's Transmission was complete, it would be a useless gamble. But it was possible since the skill level was low.
Still, it would only be for a moment. This moment was good.
[The exclusive skill 'White Pure Star Energy Lv. 1' has been activated.]
[The accumulation of stats will increase the level of White Pure Star Energy!]
[White Pure Star Energy Lv. 1 -> White Pure Star Energy Lv. 2.]
The feeling of the magic power at my fingertips changed. I didn't have to run as he rushed towards me first. I realized my momentum was unusual as he pulled out his sword for the first time.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used 'Splitting the Sky Energy Lv. 2'.]
Kakakakak!
Sparks flew from our blades. Neither Yoo Jonghyuk or I stepped back. I felt tremendous pressure as I gripped the blade. Blue ether burned around his blade.
At this point, it was wonderful beyond admiration. In the world of Ways of Survival, higher stats created an absolute gap in power. Now my physical stats were in the 3rd stage while Yoo Jonghyuk was in the 2nd. (TL: So over 30 and over 20).
Still, he wasn't pushed by me at all. No, it was to the point where I was pushed. I gritted my teeth.
[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint stage 2 has been activated!]
As soon as the skill was activated, Yoo Jonghyuk's thoughts entered my mind.
「 It is painful. 」
「 Several more times in the future. 」
「 Do I need to repeat this? 」
I was furious. This bastard, already?
"Wake up you jerk!"
I struck his sword with all my might and stretched out a fist towards his jaw. The attack was possible because I read his movements with Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.
Supak!
My fist hit his chin and he stumbled for the first time.
「 Once the regression begins, everything will go back to the beginning. 」
「All my companions will lose their memories and my history is erased. 」
"You idiot!
「Then everything will repeat again. 」
In fact, sunfish were very durable creatures. They died because they were vulnerable to stress, not because they were weak.
Just like this guy in front of me.
The theater master was able to control Yoo Jonghyuk was due to his uneasy mental state. The theatre master had weak physical abilities but the best mental abilities. If Yoo Jonghyuk's Mental Barrier was over level 80,000, this wouldn't have happened.
「 What am I…? 」
Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes were blurred. I was furious once I heard the thoughts in his head.
"Aren't you a real protagonist?"
As someone who read all 3,149 chapters of Ways of Survival, I was furious.
“Haven't you only regressed three times?"
I once again hit his head with all my strength. Was it a miracle? The blow to his jaw slowed him down a bit. I didn't miss the opportunity and kicked his chest.
“Do you really think so? You have already forgotten the determination of your first attempt."
「I am the only living thing in this world. 」
A lonely voice.
"You bastard… don't fall into those sentiments."
I shouted while blocking his sword.
“If you can’t find the meaning of life in front of you, didn't you decide to live for the greater cause?"
[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]
I didn't know who I was talking to anymore. Hot flames sprang up from the blade. My eyes stung and my skin became raw from the heat. My voice was breathless. Maybe I was also lost in the moment.
「 I am alone. 」
It was as if I was Yoo Jonghyuk or even lived Yoo Jonghyuk's life. My chest was tight.
"Alone?"
「 I… 」
“What did I come here for if you are alone?"
「 I… 」
My sword struck and tore at his hands. Blood flowed and the flesh was torn. I wielded the sword like a madman. I gritted my teeth.
“Why are you alone? When you died like a fool in the Theatre Dungeon, when you cried over your dead little sister, when the prophet stabbed you in the back! When your loved one gave birth to a child…!”
As I was talking, I strangely recalled other memories. Letters and letters passed. My old memories of Ways of Destruction.
"You went crazy after your child died!"
The complex memories of his family affairs and things he experienced passed through my mind.
“Fighting against the demon kings and the returnees!"
The nightmares of the senior officers in the army.
"Helping people and fighting against the damn reincarnators! When you finally stood before the constellations!"
The days when I struggled to get a job and when my bosses were vile and abusive. Everything was in order to live. In order to survive every day.
“Look around you and try to live somehow!"
Even so, I returned home. I felt relieved when reading one novel.
"I…"
My hand holding the blade trembled. I became too excited. Dammit. I just needed to buy enough time.
I breathed roughly and looked ahead. But…something was strange. Was it an illusion? It was only a moment but a dim light was returning to Yoo Jonghyuk's hand.
「 I… 」
Some things couldn't be understood even if I read his mind. My heart thumped the moment I saw Yoo Jonghyuk's look.
[The excessive immersion has caused the 'Fourth Wall' to shake.]
Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes were staring straight at me.
「 You… who are you? 」
Episode 9 – Omniscient Sunfish (6)
"What?"
「 What are you…? 」
I was surprised by the sudden change in thoughts. Surely he didn't regain his sense of reason after hearing my words? How could that be?
I was a bit confused. In the first place, I didn't start this operation with the expectation of such a result.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is embarrassed.]
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has strengthened his control on the character 'Yoo Jonghyuk.']
“Kuaaak…!"
Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes blurred again.
Indeed. I had felt hope but it was unreasonable for him to wake up himself. Otherwise, he wouldn't be a sunfish. I would be grateful if he didn't commit suicide. The ether of Yoo Jonghyuk's sword trembled.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk's Splitting the Sky Energy' has grown!]
In the meantime, the skills received through Transmission were becoming stronger. It was thanks to the talent of a main character.
The White Pure Star Energy gradually collapsed as I kept struggling. I didn't know if it was the limit of the skill itself or a difference in talent.
I glanced at Lee Gilyoung. Blood was pouring down from Lee Gilyoung's nose. The time had come.
"Jonghyuk."
Perhaps after today, Yoo Jonghyuk would become surprisingly strong. I pushed his sword away as hard as I could.
“Do you remember what I asked before? I asked if I could hit you?"
There was a difference in natural talent. In the next few years, Yoo Jonghyuk would become incomparable stronger than me.
But not right now. At least for now.
“You told me to hit you if I could. Do you remember?"
If I did this now, then at least for a moment…
[Blade of Faith is activated!]
[The special option of Unbroken Faith is activated.]
[The ether property is converted to 'fire.']
I could overwhelm this ridiculous guy.
Ether Blade. The fire ether appeared in empty space.
Hwaruruk!
Yoo Jonghyuk was surprised by the sudden attack and took a few steps back. He instinctively felt that it was something extraordinary. But it was too late.
[The stigma 'Song of the Sword' has been used.]
Song of the Sword. It was one of the strongest combat buffs that the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare was proud of.
[Your sword is filled with the words left by the Duke of Loyalty and Warfare.]
There was a large variation in the attack power depending on which verse was sung, but it was a perfect skill for me right now.
「 Shooting arrows like rain and protecting the generalissimo from guns firing on all sides. 」
Fortunately, it was a verse from the Nanjung Ilgi. (Wiki Link)
An enormous magic power emerged and all the burning ethers were united. I swung it towards Yoo Jonghyuk.
「 The chaos was like a thunderstorm. 」
The fire ether took the shape of arrows and started to bombard him. It was an attack that couldn't be used for a long time due to insufficient magic power. However,this would suffice.
Dudududududu!
"Kuooh!"
Numerous red wounds appeared all over Yoo Jonghyuk's body.
In this damn world where coins represented all values and the constellations decided the development of the world, I still needed Yoo Jonghyuk.
Thus, I would protect him today.
Hwaruruk!
Yoo Jonghyuk's actions stopped as flames burned the area. His Fire Resistance meant it might not be a serious blow, but it was enough to force him into a state of inactivity. I looked at the 'theater master' sitting at the edge of the garden.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is extremely alert to you.]
Now was the only chance. I started running. In the distance, I could see the theatre master stiffen.
Then.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used Recovery Lv. 2!]
Dammit, Yoo Jonghyuk was already chasing after me.
Recovery. It was a scam skill where he could recover quickly after being hit hard once a day. He already obtained this skill due to Transmission.
No matter how fast I ran, I couldn't be faster than Yoo Jonghyuk who used Red Phoenix Shunpo.
I ignored the theater master in front of me and collided with Yoo Jonghyuk's sword. I could only believe in my last card. I cried out with all my strength.
"Gilyoung!"
Kukukung!
The moment I cried out, there was a huge crack in the ceiling of Sky Garden.
The black dome surrounding the roof was breaking. The Yoo Jonghyuk running towards me was also the Yoo Jonghyuk manipulated by the theatre master. He looked up with surprise at the ceiling.
It was generally impossible for the shielded area of a 'hidden scenario' to be broken. But it was possible for 'uncommon' existences.
In the distance, Lee Gilyoung was crying while wiping his bleeding nose.
"U-Uwahh… uwahhhh…!"
In order to deal with a monster, you had to call a monster.
Kuoooooh!
A huge insect dug into the cracks of the broken dome.
Rattle!
Like thin glass, the dome broke and the roof was split apart. The astonished theater master screamed. A monster that could destroy the shielded area of a hidden scenario. It was like a gigantic praying mantis, the insect king of great size.
[The 6th grade insect king, Titanoptera has appeared!]
It was an appearance that caused goosebumps. The monster that had been fighting with the poisonous rhino the other day. This monster came here in response to Lee Gilyoung's Diverse Communication. Lee Gilyoung laughed.
"He, hehe… Titano…"
Titano? Don't tell me… it did look similar but surely not.
Kuoooooh!
The huge preying mantis flew towards the theatre master. Then Yoo Jonghyuk blocked it.
[The character 'Yoo Jonghyuk' has used 'Strong Self-Defense Lv. 4'.]
Kwaaaaang!
There was a massive sound and Yoo Jonghyuk's body was pushed down into the floor of the rooftop. Yet Yoo Jonghyuk was still standing.
Ku ku ku ku!
…He was really a ridiculous monster. He could do with a 6th grade species with his current abilities? Yoo Jonghyuk even launched a counterattack.
Kyaooooh!
The Titanoptera screamed at the hard blow. Surprisingly, Yoo Jonghyuk was on par with the 6th grade insect king.
Maybe it was something he saw when fighting with me. The colour of the theatre master was returning. Yoo Jonghyuk was strong. It was a sudden situation but the theatre master thought he could win.
He was wrong. He should've been looking at me.
I ran towards the theater master again. There wasn't long left on Diverse Communicaton. I wouldn't let Lee Gilyoung's efforts be in vain.
[Blade of Faith is activated!]
The theatre master belatedly discovered me and shouted.
The theater master's simulacrum.
According to the setting of Ways of Survival, this named boss was made with all the heart and soul of a constellation. A lot of time passed and he was in a deteriorated form, becoming the boss of a hidden scenario. However… he was still able to penetrate Yoo Jonghyuk's Mental Barrier.
The one who received the divine protection of a constellation. He was never a pushover.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has triggered 'Simulacra.'
It was a delirium skill on a higher level than the specter's Welcome Prison.
The surrounding space distorted and all types of illusions appeared. The monsters seemed closer to reality than illusions.
The ground rats, grolls, poisonous rhinos, T-rex… The monsters I had encountered so far were running towards me. The fierce teeth and violence claws ripped and clawed at me, but I didn't stop. I wasn't afraid. It was all fake. They didn't exist. They were all fiction from a novel.
The moment that the Blade of Faith reached his neck.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' has triggered 'Mental Erosion.]
Mental Erosion. It was the advanced cognitive manipulation skill used on Yoo Jonghyuk. I wasn't afraid because I had the Fourth Wall. But something unexpected happened the moment he penetrated my head.
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacrum' is embarrassed.]
Abyss of the ego.
All types of thoughts gathered and the pages of Ways of Destruction fluttered.
–T-This? This, is…!
Numerous texts emanated a faint light and floated in the darkness. It was the chapters of Ways of Destruction that I had read.
[The exclusive skill, 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]
The complexion of the theatre master changed as he dug into my head. He looked at the strings around him and his face whitened.
–Don't, tell, me, you…ahhh!
This was the last thing he said. Strangely, he looked at me in awe.
The moment Blade of Faith was about to cross his neck, a dazzling light came from his body. It was like a ghost touching a divine light or the penalty for breaking a taboo.
He was destroyed without a trace.
I looked down at my hands and felt dazed.
…What just happened?
[The 'Theatre Master's Simulacra' has been killed for the first time.]
[You have obtained 9,000 coins as compensation.]
[You have met the conditions to clear the hidden scenario!]
[You have obtained 4,000 coins as compensation.]
These messages rose. I looked back and saw Yoo Jonghyuk collapsing after being released from the theatre master's control. Fortunately, he didn't die. The same was true for Lee Gilyoung, who had forcibly used Diverse Communication.
"Hyung…"
I rushed over and embraced Lee Gilyoung. Lee Gilyoung lost strength and fainted in my arms.
[The barrier surrounding the Theater Dungeon has disappeared.]
The barrier covering the ceiling vanished and I looked at the insect king. Surprising, it turned around and fled. It was like all interest had vanished. I breathed out with a sense of relief.
It was over.
"…Are you okay?"
Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye staggered over.
"I'm fine. Heewon-ssi?"
"I'm okay. Fortunately, Jihye is safe."
Lee Jihye was hit a lot by Yoo Jonghyuk and she couldn't speak because her mouth was swollen.
[The ending time for the third main scenario is approaching!]
Perhaps it was time for the end.
I looked around the rooftop and saw that dawn was coming, making the day brighter. If Lee Hyunsung was here, he would recite the 'homeland' prayer.
Jung Heewon groaned.
“Ah… Seoul."
The ruined city area was illuminated by the faint light of dawn. I heard intermittent explosions from far away. Now there was no more poisonous fog. The poisonous rhinos were crushed under the collapsed buildings. I could see people fighting among themselves. They were probably a group that ended the scenario before us. The entire landscape was trapped inside a huge dome.
It was a large barrier that seemed to be breaking.
Currently, Seoul was isolated in a transparent dome.
Jung Heewon said, "Really…it is all ending."
It was a scene that had to be acknowledged once again.
I looked at the collapsed buildings and thought that Mino Soft would be somewhere there. Yoo Sangah would be disappointed. It was because Yoo Sangah was a person who worked hard. Lee Gilyoung wriggled in my arms.
“Have you regained consciousness?"
Lee Gilyoung nodded and pointed to the sky.
From a distance, a meteor shower seemed to be falling. The meteor shower was originally the forerunner of the main scenario. However, the number of meteor showers was more than before.
It meant the 'hall' would open soon.
The meteor showers were probably falling all over the world.
Jung Heewon admired it.
“Pretty…"
Jung Heewon didn't know. The meteors that looked beautiful from a distance would make a nightmare for the people where it fell.
Now a bigger disaster would come.
Lee Gilyoung gathered his small hands together and muttered something. Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye were silent for a while. Maybe they were also praying.
It was funny. Wishing to the beings who would become a source of nightmare, it was probably only human beings who did this in the entire universe.
After a while, Lee Gilyoung opened his eyes and looked up at me.
“Hyung isn't making a wish?"
I looked down at Lee Gilyoung and replied.
“I have made a wish."
“What is it?"
“Gilyoung, you shouldn't ask that." Jung Heewon scolded him.
I watched Jung Heewon, Yoo Jonghyuk and then the collapsed Seoul again.
“I wish to see the novel's epilogue."
Lee Gilyoung looked at me with confusion.
I silently gazed at the sky. There were slight cracks in the sky above Seoul. Once the sun rose, the dokkaebis would open a new hell.