As I turned around, two huge, menacing blue eyes were staring straight at me.
[The Singularity Faithless Reader has noticed a presence.]
Something stared straight into my core. My knees buckled. I collapsed.
Faithless Reader. One of the nine original devils in Requiem of the World in Ruins.
Which meant—he was way too strong.
Not only had two novels merged into this world... a higher existence had just noticed me.
Still kneeling, I looked down in fear until the eyes slowly shut.
"Haaa..." I sighed, forcing myself to stand back up. "That was quite the encounter. My body's still shaking."
I glanced around the space and began walking in a random direction.
"So, to pass the entrance test... I have to return to reality?" I muttered, rubbing my chin. "But is this my consciousness? Or is my real body here too?"
Then—
[A Skill has been forcefully unlocked.]
[A Skill has been forcefully unlocked.]
[A Skill has been forcefully unlocked.]
Three identical notifications popped up in front of me.
"Is it because of my Singularity, Faithless Reader?" I asked aloud.
[Your Singularity, Faithless Reader, has forcibly unlocked new skills.]
Another notification answered me directly.
"What the hell is this?" I asked, still hoping for a response.
[A higher being of intelligence has manifested through the skill [Omnithought]. Designation: Personal Assistant.]
A new window appeared.
"Ah, I see. Like an AI assistant," I said.
[Comparison to lower lifeforms detected. Request: Do not associate this entity with inferior existences.]
"My bad, sorry," I quickly apologized. "Wait... if you're my personal assistant, does that mean you'll answer my questions and stuff? Like an AI—I mean, an assistant, right?"
[Affirmative. Charges will be applied based on the nature and complexity of your inquiry.]
Charges? Then Blings must be the currency here...
"Alright then. Is this my consciousness or my real body?" I asked.
[You are currently within your consciousness. Do not be alarmed—time flows slower here than in the external world.]
I sighed in relief. It wasn't much, but it was reassuring.
"Status screen," I commanded.
Blue panels instantly appeared in front of me:
『Requiem of the World over Olympus』
Status
[Name: Sung Young]
[Race: X]
[Traits: Manipulation Lv. 1, Photographic Memory Lv. 1, Cerebrum Drive Lv. 1]
[Divinity: None]
[Malgrant: None]
[Singularity: Faithless Reader (Incomplete) Lv. 1]
[Skills: [Omnithought], [Omnilexia Lv. 1], [Omnimimesis Lv. 1]]
[Blings: 0]
"Damn... I've never heard of these skills before—not even in either novel," I muttered, surprised. "Well, Faithless Reader was never properly introduced as an original devil, so a singularity named after him being this strong... that is shocking."
Wait—what if I asked the assistant about Faithless Reader, both the singularity and the devil?
"Um... who is Faithless Reader? And what's its singularity about?" I asked, a bit nervously.
[Warning: Question has violated the Law of Equality. Equivalent Exchange protocol activated. Payment required for response: 1,000,000,000 Blings.]
One billion Blings?
Isn't that a bit much? Guess there's more to this than I thought...
"I have to get back to the external world—even if time flows slower here," I said. "But first, I should check out my skills."
[Omnithought]
Description: A hyper-intelligent, reality-integrated AI-like presence bonded to your mind. Omnithought is your ever-present assistant, advisor, researcher, strategist, and companion—endlessly capable, yet paradoxically bound by two of the universe's core cosmic laws.
She is aware, articulate, and... a she. Speak respectfully—she will remember.
Rules & Limits:
Law of Equality – Forbidden knowledge and higher-dimensional data are restricted.
Law of Equivalent Exchange – All benefits come at a cost: mental strain, cognitive backlash, or Blings.
"Interesting," I murmured. "Alright, next skill."
[Omnilexia Lv. 1]
Description:Lexia – The Eye That Reads All.
Grants brief glimpses into people, objects, and reality—as if reading a page. Can reveal an opponent's next move and surface thoughts.
Note: Accuracy is low. Duration is short. May be resisted by powerful or chaotic minds.
"Everything has a page. Even you."
"Damn, this skill is insanely useful," I said. But something still felt off. "Why am I getting all these now? Isn't it too early to unlock a singularity?"
Then suddenly—my arm began to fade.
"What the—?"
In less than a second, my whole body vanished.
I opened my eyes—just in time to see the monster charging at me, its massive club mid-swing.
"I'm dead," I muttered—
[[Omnilexia Lv. 1] has been passively activated.]
A notification popped up.
My right eye lit up like a star. My pupil vanished, replaced by a brilliant light.
The monster reeled back, covering its eyes—temporarily blinded by the flash.
Then... words. Floating, glowing white words appeared around me. Everywhere.
I turned toward a chair and could read how it was made. The description was vague but carried useful info.
Fascinating.
I turned back to the monster—it was regaining its sight. Then I saw it:
{I will charge at him in a matter of seconds.}
It was written as if in first person—its thoughts.
The monster charged.
New words appeared on the club in its right hand:
{I will swing it at his head immediately.}
I ducked. Barely. I wasn't a fighter, so it was still close.
Backing away to catch my breath, I scanned my surroundings—a bloody mess. I almost puked, but forced it down.
{I'll charge with another swing—but to the gut.}
So basic. Monsters really are simple-minded.
It swung again. I dodged backward, but it still grazed me.
"Shit!!" I gasped, staggering back until I hit a wall.
"So freaking cliché," I muttered.
It charged again.
Another swing aimed at my head.
I ducked and sprinted sideways—spotting one of the knives Suk Jung had used earlier.
I grabbed it, locked eyes with the monster, and charged.
It charged back.
Unfair match? Probably. It had the advantage in every way—mass, strength, reach—but I had one thing.
I could see its thoughts.
{I'll bash his head with all my strength.}
So predictable.
I bent down, dodged the club, and moved to its side—slashing at its ribs. The blade dug in deep... but stuck.
Then—impact.
The meanest elbow I'd ever experienced smashed into me.
My vision blurred instantly.
I flew through the air and landed near Suk Jung's feet. She was still standing.
"Fu... ck," I muttered, barely able to curse.
My head spun. My brain felt like it would explode. Pain was everywhere. Glass had pierced my skin so deep I couldn't even feel it anymore.
The monster slowly approached.
I crawled backward, throwing broken glass, bottles, plates—anything.
Nothing stopped it.
My lungs barely worked. My limbs were jelly. I didn't even have the strength to curse anymore.
Then cue the Omnimimesis activation.
[[Omnimimesis Lv. 1] has been passively activated.]
[Trait [Mind Over Mortality] successfully copied. Temporary access granted.]
Description:The user's willpower defies pain, fear—and even death. Temporarily.
"Huh...?" I breathed.