Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this Webnovel Review. Please read with caution.

On October 30, 2020, I started and finished Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Chapter 3: Contract. This chapter followed the aftermath of Yoo Joonghyuk feeding Kim Dokja into a large sea serpent, where he is to escape and “prove” that he’s worthy of being partners with the “main protagonist”. Kim Dokja thinks Yoo Joonghyuk’s a bastard for pushing him into a fish, but Dokja understands the callous action because he read his life’s story before.

This chapter centered around Dokja needing to escape with Bihyung’s help. The negotiations between Dokja and Bihyung were hilarious and terrifying at the same time, but they delivered the best dialogue—most natural and meta exposition delivery—I have ever read. The artwork was magnificent whenever Bihyung was terrifyingly furious and dumbfounded. The “How do you know all this?” question kept popping up!

The video game aspect is beautiful to include, and how Dokja’s knowledge of the world and mechanics came in handy during the tense negotiations, showing he’ll be a major threat to those who seek to control this brave new world. Dokja was at his most confident—and also most terrified—during that scene especially when he pulled a
Izuku Midoriya” and worried about his mother’s safety at the end of the chapter.

The world-building is incredible through the dialogue regarding the constellations, streamers, channels, etc., and how it naturally came into the plot due to Kim Dokja having prior knowledge and utilizing that knowledge to make the most coins possible while also spending the least amount when buying materials to escape the fish’s stomach. The constellations—sponsors—are clearly audience stand-ins for the best and worst kind of fans out there.

The constellation complaining about everything Kim Dokja does, and him responding, “Nobody’s forcing you to watch this”, is pure meta. Seriously, haters don’t make sense. You don’t actually have to keep watching unless you just love to hate on stuff. Then I guess it’s okay as long as you’re truthful about it?

The ending to the chapter was pure horror though. While Dokja was a fully confident person while negotiating with Bihyung, when he actually executed his plan revealed how most heroes feel: scared.

Circling back to what I said about Dokja and his mother, main protagonists are usually misconstrued as being fearless in the face of danger most of the time—I just started reading One Piece and met Luffy, so that’s why I say most of the time…—but they are actually the most scared people and summon great courage to defend others.

Dokja—means “Reader” in Korean—resonated with me on the Eve of Halloween. How I would respond to a fictional situation like ORV also resonated with me, especially since I play D&D and do battle with my players on a regular basis. This won’t make much sense, but “the surge is surging.”

If this Webnovel is going to be dark and self-aware in the story, then I’m going to be goofy and self-aware in these Webnovel Reviews moving forward. Let’s get started on the concept of the “Equivalent Exchange” from Fullmetal Alchemist. What do you think of me ending it on that philosophical note, blog readers? Chew on that question until y’all read my next review.

Thanks for reading this review! I’ll see you all on the other side.

Take care,

NGO DM (Dokja Master) AA.

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