Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Chapter 3

Starting the Paid Service (3)

As the dokkaebi flickered out of sight, the crowd reacted with chaotic disarray. Some frantic passengers attempted to flee the train carriage, while others desperately dialed the police. Yoo Sangah clung to the latter group, stammering, “The police... they aren’t even picking up! What on earth am I supposed to do...”

“Keep your composure, Yoo Sangah-ssi,” I commanded, locking eyes with her wide, panicked gaze. “Yoo Sangah-ssi, have you ever played those niche games made by development teams? You know, the scenarios where society collapses and only a handful of souls remain?”

“Huh? What are you trying to say...”

“Just think about it for a second. We’re currently trapped inside one of those games.”

Yoo Sangah nibbled her lip nervously. “A game...”

“It’s very simple. Follow my instructions without asking questions. Is that clear?”

“U-Understood. So, what should I do now?”

“Just stay perfectly still.”

I finally forced my own breathing to steady. I needed precious moments to truly process this reality. [Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World] was no longer just text; the events I once only read about were now unfolding right before me.

「The dokkaebi extended its antenna.」

「Human bodies were scattered like refuse across the aisle.」

「A blood-drenched office worker trembling in the corner.」

「An elderly woman groaning in her seat.」

I scrutinized every agonizing detail. Much like Neo questioning the fabric of the Matrix, I observed, analyzed, and finally accepted the truth. Regardless of how or why, the undeniable reality was that 'Ways of Survival' had become my new world. Now, I had to formulate a plan to endure.

“Everyone, listen up! Please, calm down! Start by controlling your breath.” A man stepped forward exactly five minutes after the dokkaebi had vanished. He was built sturdily with close-cropped hair, towering over most of the commuters.

“Is everyone listening? Stop your panic and focus on me for a moment.”

The sobbing and frantic callers fell silent. As all eyes fixed upon him, the man continued, “As you are aware, during a national emergency, panic only leads to avoidable casualties. I am taking control of this situation.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“A national emergency? What are you babbling about?”

When some resistance bubbled up, the man produced a government ID from his wallet. “I am an army lieutenant, currently serving in the 6502 unit.”

Relief washed over some of the passengers. “A soldier, thank god, a soldier is here.”

Yet, relief was premature. “I’ve just received an official message from my unit.”

The passengers crowded around his smartphone screen, and being nearby, I could easily read the alert: –A level 1 national disaster has been declared. All troops must muster immediately.

I heard the frantic gulps of my fellow passengers. It was a national disaster—a realization I had already braced for. What truly surprised me, however, was the figure standing before me. Army Lieutenant Lee Hyunsung. I recognized the name immediately. He was a pivotal supporting character in 'Ways of Survival.'

「Steel Sword Lee Hyunsung.」

A character from the book had manifested in real life. I could no longer deny the truth. “Soldier-nim! What is actually going on?”

“I’ve tried contacting my command, but...”

“What about the Blue House? Why isn’t the president doing anything?”

“I’m deeply sorry. I’m just an ordinary soldier; I don’t have a hotline to the Blue House.”

“Then why are you trying to play leader?”

“For the sake of public safety...”

As Lee Hyunsung handled the aggressive questioning, I realized the novel’s descriptions were chillingly accurate. Still, something felt wrong. Did Hyunsung appear this early in the original timeline? My thoughts spiraled. As the lone reader of 'Ways of Survival,' I could state with certainty that his entrance was supposed to occur at the end of the first scenario.

“The prime minister is giving a speech! It really is a level one emergency!”

Smartphones flickered to life across the carriage. Yoo Sangah turned hers toward me. “...Dokja-ssi, look at this.”

The search bar wasn't even needed; the top trend was the ‘Prime Minister’s Speech.’ I already knew the video's contents. The PM declared that terrorists were active in Seoul and that the government would fight back without negotiations. It sounded almost reassuring, but listening to it now made my blood run cold. Terrorism? That would be a comforting lie compared to the truth.

“Wait, where is the president? Why is the prime minister speaking?”

“Some say the president was hit.”

“Is that true?”

“Not sure. A comment on Naver said...”

“Damn it, it’s all fake, then!”

I knew for a fact it wasn't fake. Suddenly, a series of gunshots echoed from the phones, followed by screams. Blood splattered across the digital screens in real-time. The prime minister’s head had exploded. After a chilling silence, the dokkaebi reappeared.

[Everyone, I told you already. This isn't a game of ‘terrorism.’] The gaped mouths of the passengers looked like panicked goldfish. [Do you still fail to grasp it? This won’t do. Do you still think this is just a game?]

His relaxed tone sent a shiver down my spine. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

[Haha, data suggests these people are quite talented at games. Why don’t I crank up the difficulty?] A massive timer appeared in the air, rapidly counting down. [The time window has been shortened by 10 minutes. 10 minutes remain. If no one dies within the next five minutes, every life in this carriage will be erased.]

“What is this? Is this some sick prank?”

“Soldier-nim! Tell us what to do! Why isn’t the police showing up?”

Lee Hyunsung looked as helpless as the rest of us. Yoo Sangah gripped my collar in terror. I remained bewildered—why wasn't ‘he’ appearing? Where was the protagonist?

“Murder! Someone is killing people back there!”

We looked through the window at the next carriage. An enemy wasn’t there, yet the trapped victims fought against a invisible barrier. [All access between carriages is restricted until the scenario ends.]

The dokkaebi laughed. [A special service for you. Let’s see what happens if no one dies in five minutes.]

A giant screen manifested in the air, showing a classroom full of high school girls. An ominous beeping filled the air, followed by the sound of heads exploding. One by one, they fell. They couldn’t escape. Only one girl remained, staring at her bloodied surroundings.

[#Bay23515 channel. Daepong Girls’ High School survivor: Lee Jihye.]

The screen vanished, and the dokkaebi asked, [Well? Isn’t it interesting?]

Terror took hold, and the passengers backed away from one another. Even Yoo Sangah released her grip on me. I took out my phone. My knowledge of the novel was clashing with this new reality. The only way to survive was to re-read 'Ways of Survival.' But how? Then, I remembered.

[1 attachment.]

I froze. A mail with an attachment from the author appeared on my screen. I opened it with trembling fingers. The file name read: [Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World.TXT]