Omniscient Reader's View

Chapter 1

My name is Sato Haruto. I would never have known that this day would change my life forever...

.

.

.

.

There it was the last chapter of 'Three ways to survive in a ruined world', I scroll through the many pages of words. I read the very last words carefully. Then I reached it... the finale.

[The End]

"Finally." I sighed. 

I refreshed to double-check. I waited then the tab refreshed. Looks like it's finished for real.

Though, I'm sad that it ended. I'm glad I was here on this journey with one other person to read this masterpiece with me. I always wanted to meet this 'other' person reading the story. But I couldn't find them sadly. Who knows maybe we could've been good friends. 

I look at my phone and give a big sigh of relief. It's finally finished that's unmistakable. In all my 26 years of life, I have never imagined a greater accomplishment than finishing this one book. I wouldn't say that it's all been wasted. I could have done something else, but we all have our own hobbies. Likewise, I have my own hobby and that's reading. Seems a bit common if you think about it. 

The book helped me keep my sanity. From the days I was bullied in grade 3, to when I messed up my entrance examinations and had to go to a local university. I keep on switching jobs here and there and here I am now. It always there for me. Mom... Dad... if you are still there I hope you are proud of me for getting this far. 

I close the app and I finish the last report and sent it to my manager 'Han Myungoh'. I look around to spot anybody around, but it looks like everybody finished already. Not only that, but I shouldn't have read that book at work. Guess I couldn't resist the urge. I walked across to the bus stop and waited.

When the bus arrived I paid the bus driver, then I climbed the steps merrily placing my hands on the rails I sat at a nearby seat. I look in front of me one of the people who work at the QA department at Mino Soft, Kim Dokja. I never got to speak with Dokja that much. I also see Yoo Sangah, lucky. I had accidentally misheard their conversation. Furthermore, I hear them talk about how Sangah's bike was stolen by someone. I can even smell her perfume smells nice.

Back to the topic, about the story 'Ways of survival' it wasn't exactly popular at all it had a few thousand views for the first few chapters, but the view count dropped from there, but it was one of my favourite novels, to say the least. I wanted to message the writer, but I never got the chance since I had so much work to do. But looks like today is my lucky day.

I hear a ding from my phone and pull it out from my pocket. 

"Looks like the author messaged me first," I said.

The following message said:

tsl123: [Thank you so much for reading 'Ways of survival' up to here. I will come back to you with an epilogue soon!]

Sato Haruto: [Author, thank you for everything. I'm looking forward to it in the meantime.]

tsl123: [Thank you.]

Sato Haruto: [?]

tsl123: [I was able to complete it to the end thanks to you guys. I also won the competition.] 

"Guys? Does he mean me and the other person reading?" 

Sato Haruto: [Congratulations! What is the competition?]

tsl123: [You wouldn't know it because it is an unknown competition.]

Is he lying?  I wonder if he is lying because he is ashamed. Perhaps so I really didn't know. Maybe it was a hit on other platforms. I felt a little guilty about it, but I'm glad that the story is being spread. People can read the story and enjoy themselves. 

tsl123: [I would like to send a special gift to you as a thank you.]

Sato Haruto: [Really? I wonder what it is.]

tsl123: [It is thanks to my dear readers that this story has come into the world.]

"What does he mean, also dear?" 

tsl123: [Ah, right. I got the monetization schedule.]

Sato Haruto: [Wow, really? It should have been paid from the beginning.]

I lied in the second part. The Ways of Survival were a daily series, so I would have to spend 3,000 won a month. 3,000 won would be one store lunch for me.

Sato Haruto: [Then the epilogue tomorrow will be paid content?]

tsl123: [Yes, I'm afraid you'll need to pay for it.]

Sato Haruto: [Of course, I have to pay! I will buy the last one!]

tsl123: [The monetization starts at 7 p.m, farewell...]

The author didn't reply afterwards. I closed the app. I guess I'll have to work harder than ever to pay until I get to the last page. I just can't wait until the epilogue releases!

"Will he give a cultural gift certificate? It would be good if it's 50,000 won..."

I checked the time on the phone. Right now it's 6:55 p.m. I had 5 minutes until the monetization starts. Maybe I should give good wishes to the writer for completing the book.

I typed 'ruined' in the search bar. But nothing would show up, it would always remain the same.

"Huh?" I said.

"Is my phone glitching?"

"I have had this phone for a while..."

Before my questions were answered. The sub lights had turned off, and the inside of the train had became dim. I heard Yoo Sanghah scream.

"I hope she's ok." I worried 

I eavesdropped on Yoo Sangah and Kim Dokja's conversation.

"Don't worry. It isn't a big deal." Kim Dokja assured.

"Is that so?" Yoo Sangah said.

"Yes, it is probably a disturbance from a suicide. The engineer will soon make an announcement." Kim Dokja answered.

"I see..." Yoo Sangah said 

Yoo Sangah and the loud crowd became less worried when they heard  Kim Dokja's words. 

"Kim Dokja sure is great at calming people down," I said.

"See, it isn't a big deal. Now an apology will air, and the power will come back on..." Kim Dokja replied to the worries.

The broadcast turned on and the announcer yelled "E-Everyone run away... Run...!" 

Before we could hear him say anything after the, the screams of the announcer were heard and the broadcast turned off. 

The inside of the train became a mess. With people trying to get out of the train and people screaming for their dear lives.

A bright red light was seen flashing at the front of the subway. A loud drumming sound followed by a pop. 

Something tells me this wasn't coincidental. The time was exactly 7 p.m.

[The free service of planetary system 8612 has been terminated.]

[The main scenario has started.]

This was the moment that would make my dream... a reality