Author's note: I was inspired to write because of a certain story, Omnisicent Reader's Viewpoint. You should definitely check it out!
At the astral barrier, the center of all tragedies, within the darkness of the white trench coat, faint red light glowing, lifting an ancient pocket watch.
Next, under the silk half top hat, a face slowly emerged from the darkness-lifeless dark eyes pulsed with crimson light, and from his back, black wings of the purest feathers unfurled, their presence both majestic and foreboding. His black, messy hair danced in the wind as he grinned, his gaze falling upon the pocket watch.
In the distance two to three person's figure could be seen facing towards that man.
Pressure intensifying, sparks dancing around their figures.
He spoke.
But the words—they were lost to me. No matter how many times I've dreamed of this moment, I could never hear them.
|||||This story is just for that one reader.|||||
A web novel platform filled the screen of my old smartphone. I scrolled down then up again. How many times have I read this?
"I wish the novel continued."
I looked again, and the 'complete' was unmistakable.
[Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint]
"Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" a novel with beautifully woven plot, impactful characters that will forever miss like an old friend, and an ending that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
551 chapters.
Author: SingShong.
The story was over, but it also wasn't over. The story wouldn't end unless the reader gave up on the story.
I never once gave up on that story, I read and read for who knows how many times. People telling me how weird I was for reading webnovels, especially the one I had been rereading. They would tell me to get an actual life, date girls, go out, drink, smoke while you can.
Despite their so called 'advice', I've been steadily reading this novel.
During the time when I was bullied by the seniors, gangster Wanna-Be kids, when I had to endure the pain of loneliness, when I was placed military unit at the forefront that novel was my salvation. Just like how "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" was Kim Dokja's salvation. Dammit, let's stop talking about this.
Anyway...
"I'm Aeon, Caden Aeon."
I usually introduce myself to people like this.
My mother gave that name to be a wise and successful man. However, to disappoint her, I turned out to be just your average poor and lonely man.
In short, Caden Aeon, 28 years old, and single. My hobby was reading webnovels whenever I can.
In the noisy subway, I raised my head reflexively. A pair of eyes filled with disappointment were staring right into my soul. They belonged to my partner from my night shift at a convenience store, Beom-Seok.
"Ditching me again?"
"Nope, I didn't see your message."
"Sure...." he looked at me suspiciously before sitting next to me.
I used to go to my shift peacefully until this fool discovered we live nearby. So, he forced me to take the subway with him since we both have the same shift in the same store.
Well, it's not like I have a grudge against him, it's just that dude is always late. He likes to play video games on his smartphone, his loud scream whenever he loses really irritates me. Wait, how come he is not playing with his phone right now?
"Not playing video games today huh?"
"That..." Beom-Seok made a silly expression.
Unexpected words came out Beom-Seok's mouth, "It's dead."
Strange, he never forgets to charge it.
"Since you asked, you got a charger?"
"No." I shook him off.
"Come on, I know you have it. Please!"
I shouldn't have asked, it's not like it's my business anyway. I ignored him, going straight to the web novel platform.
Beom-Seok seems greatly irritated. Well, it's expected, he's not a very patient man after all.
"Ughhh, this is so boring!" Beom-Seok complained before glancing over to the LCD screen of my smartphone.
"Is it a novel? how typical of you" he laughed.
"If you really need to know, then yes."
"Lame!" he chuckled slapping my shoulder.
It wasn't surprising at all, fool like him will never go beyond that game.
The silence continued for a moment. Beom-Seok constantly glancing at my phone like he wanted to say something.
He soon stared a conversation. "It has been a while since were paired up for the shift. Time does fly fast."
How funny, speaking like an actual adult. Is this the real Beom-Seok? The Beom-Seok without his smartphone? Just thinking about that made me realize that I really know nothing about him.
"Yeah. It seems like just yesterday." I made a serious expression.
"What did you previously did, before this job?"
What did I do before this? Memories of those days flashed before my eyes.
"Ugh, I finally finished this stupid project." I rested my head on the desk after signing heavily.
"Tired?" I reflexively raised my head to a woman's face. A voice of my former colleague, employee from the natural resource team, Eunseo.
"Yeah, thanks." I took the drink she offered.
She is so pure, kind, understanding, open minded, wise, and the list goes on. I'm pretty sure I've always admired her with those attributes. The only person from the real world who I'd consider as my friend.
"So, how's life? Got any problems?"
"Not really, except I'm often lonely. I don't have any friends, nor do I have parents to spend my time with." I answered sincerely while looking at my desk.
"You don't have any friends? Surely, I'm standing here." she smiled before continuing. "Life is supposed to be like this, it's not always rainbows and sunshine you know. There are times you are alone. Even so, don't dwell on it too much and let your heart lead you. Live in the present, enjoy the moment. Because we only live once, and that is what makes life precious."
I stared at her eyes wordlessly, tears dropping down.
She extended her hand towards my face, wiping the tears.
Her warm touch, her beautiful smile everything about her was admirable. She always knew how to comfort me, she never judged my aspirations, my passion for webnovels, my love for Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint. Now, that I'm looking back at that moment, I really understand just how precious that little talk was.
"Congratulations on making to the next division, Eunseo from the natural resources team."
She soon left, she leveled up and moved on to live her life. I wonder how she's doing now...
While I was continuing on with my life until.
"Finally, that stupid woman left."
"For real, who does she even think? always trying to act perfect."
The employees from the natural resource team were bad mouthing her now that she's gone.
I honestly didn't care, until.
"That stupid woman Eunseo, dammit I lost my position because of her. She should've just quit the job and sold her body, stupid b****."
"Yeah dude, she'd be better off gone ha-ha-ha."
The bad mouthing got intense, I couldn't hold it anymore.
"What's up with that newbie? Hey, what are you looking at?"
I approached them, driven by anger.
"What do you want newbie?"
"Take back what you said." I demanded.
"Take back what?" he teased me.
"Take back what you said about Eunseo."
"Awww, newbie is protecting her little girlfriend."
Ha-ha-ha. Their evil laugh echoed through the office.
I punched him without even thinking, punched him over and over again. Ended up breaking his nose. Because of that I was fired.
I regretted letting my anger consume me, I lost my difficult but decent paying job. Had financial problems. Ever since then, I tried my hardest to isolate myself, concealing my emotions, not stepping in others' problem.
"I used to work in a big company but soon got fired."
"How'd you get fired dude?" Beom-Seok asked in curiosity.
"Little misunderstanding."
"Get into more detail dude." he complained.
In fact, it was investable result. Because of my actions, I now ended up like this, living a pathetic solo life. What about him though? Has he made mistakes like I have? He could have, but everyone has the same genre. No... more accurately, No one had the same story. Everyone lived a different life and understood using things different contexts.
If the genre of my life wasn't 'realism' but 'fantasy'... Could I have lived a better life? Could I be the protagonist? I didn't know. It would probably be unknown forever.
"You're an idiot but a nice guy. Even if that's the case, sometimes it's better to not step into others' problems."
"Huh?"
However, there is one thing I knew.
The genre of my life was obviously 'realism'.
"Aeon has a solo life."
In this genre, I wasn't the protagonist but a useless side character.
Life was already boring, but strangely, my reading of webnovels didn't go really well. Maybe it was because I realized the weight of never reading a masterpiece like Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ever again, for the first time.
The subway arrived at our destination. 7:30 PM. Another boring day in the genre of realism.