Four days passed by since we arrived on the ‘Isle of Reincarnators’.
我们到达转世岛已经四天了。
I confirmed through [Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint] that other companions had completed their Middle Island scenarios and were ready to tackle the next one.
我通过[无所不知的读者视角]确认，其他伙伴已经完成了他们的中岛情景，并准备处理下一个。
Currently, I was staring at the screen of my phone.
现在，我正盯着手机的屏幕。
– Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World (Final Revision).txt
三种方法生存在一个毁灭的世界(最后修订版)
It was possible that the ‘epilogue’ I so wished to read was waiting for me at the end of this text file. Was that all? If luck was on my side, I might even discover some information on the current 3rd regression turn, too.
这是可能的“后记”，我如此希望阅读正在等待我在这个文本文件的结尾。就这些吗？如果运气在我这边，我甚至可能会发现一些关于当前第三次回归的信息。
The guideline that told me how to act and how to clear upcoming scenarios in order to reach the perfect ending might be there.
指导方针告诉我如何行动，如何清除即将到来的场景，以达到完美的结局可能就在那里。
However….
但是..。
⸢Wh at if the end of the story is tra ge dy?⸥
如果故事的结局是真实的怎么办
If, by any chance, the ‘Final Revision’ bit implied that ‘it’ll no longer change’?
如果，在任何机会，’最终修订’位意味着’它将不再改变’？
⸢Are you rea lly cap able of cha nging it?⸥
你真的能买到吗
What if the action of me reading this thing only sets the ending in stone instead?
如果我阅读这本书的行为只是把结局固定下来了呢？
“Kim Dok-Ja.”
“金道子。”
I raised my head to spot Han Su-Yeong, bandages wrapped around her left hand, staring back at me. She was the only other existence remaining in this world who read the ‘Ways of Survival’ besides me.
我抬起头，看到韩素英，她的左手上缠着绷带，背对着我。她是这个世界上除了我以外唯一一个读过《生存之道》的人。
If she was in my shoes, how would she react?
如果她处在我的位置，她会有什么反应？
If she was me, would she have opened this file?
如果她是我，她会打开这个文件吗？
“What are you looking at?”
“你在看什么?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“不，没什么。”
I switched the phone’s screen off.
我关掉了手机的屏幕。
There might come a day when I get curious about the contents of this story. However, now wasn’t it.
也许有一天我会对这个故事的内容感到好奇，但现在不是了。
The ‘epilogue’ I wished to know probably wasn’t in this file.
我想知道的“尾声”可能不在这个文件中。
After finishing maintenance on her equipment, Han Su-Yeong lightly jumped off from the bed and spoke to me. “Let’s get going. The longer we dilly-dally, the further ahead that bastard Yu Joong-Hyeok will get.”
韩素英整理好装备后，轻轻地从床上跳下来，对我说话。“我们走吧。我们磨磨蹭蹭的时间越长，于重赫那个混蛋就会走得越远。”
“We have someone to meet first before leaving, though.”
“不过，在离开之前，我们要先见一个人。”
“Who?”
“谁?”
“Looks like he’s here already.”
“看来他已经来了。”
We heard knocking sounds as the door creaked open behind us.
当我们身后的门吱吱作响地开启时，我们听到了敲门声。
The first thing we saw was the thick, brown-coloured Buddhist rosary hung around the person’s neck. Next up was the grey Buddhist monk robe, and the firm, tough muscles peeking out from underneath it. He was a Warrior Monk, who had gone through the repeated rigorous training for a very long time.
我们看到的第一件东西就是那个人脖子上挂着的厚厚的、棕色的佛教念珠。接下来是灰色的佛教僧袍，从下面露出结实而坚韧的肌肉。他是一个勇士和尚，经过了很长一段时间的反复严格训练。
“I’ve come to fetch you, Benefactor.”
“我是来接你的，恩人。”
I nodded my head and replied back. “Guide me to your King, please.”
我点点头，回答道:“请带我去见你们的国王。”
*
{Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World}
{在一个毁灭的世界里生存的三种方法}
According to the analysis of the best expert alive on the novel ‘Ways of Survival’ - me - the ‘three ways’ in its title referred to the three main characters of the novel itself.
通过对《生存之道》在世最好的专家——我的分析，其标题中的“三种方式”指的是小说本身的三个主要人物。
The first was the Regressor Yu Joong-Hyeok.
第一个是回归者于重赫。
The second was the Returnee Jang Ha-Yeong.
第二个是回归者张夏勇。
And finally, the third was…
最后，第三个是..。
– There was another main character ?
还有一个主角？
Han Su-Yeong asked back hurriedly through [Midday Tryst], sounding a bit flustered after listening to my tale. I remembered then that she wouldn’t have such information on her, since she only read up to 100 chapters or so….
韩素英听了我的故事，有点慌乱，连忙通过[午间幽会]问道。我记得她不会有这样的信息，因为她只读了大约100章..。
– But, then again, it’ll be a huge ask to keep milking one main character for over three thousand chapters, won’t it?
但是，话又说回来，一个主角写三千多章节，这可是一个巨大的要求，不是吗
….She still remained needlessly sharp, though.
但她依然保持着不必要的敏锐。
– Besides all that, three protagonists, eh? As expected of this novel, treading on the sure-fire shortcut to the failed novel-dom like that.
除此之外，还有三个主角，呃不出所料，这部小说走上了通往失败小说的捷径
I couldn’t think up of a retort. Because, that failed novel had messed up our reality in a big way, hadn’t it?
我想不出反驳的理由。因为，那部失败的小说把我们的现实生活搞得一团糟，不是吗？
– So, the master of this castle is the ‘Third MC’, am I right?
那么，这座城堡的主人就是“第三任主持人”，我说的对吗？
– Yeah.
是啊。
– How important is he in ‘Ways of Survival’? As much as Yu Joong-Hyeok?
-他在《生存之道》里有多重要?和余重赫一样重要吗？
– No, not really. Regardless of what, the main will always be Yu Joong-Hyeok.
-不，不是真的。不管怎样，主角永远是余重赫。
For sure, the majority of the story spanning over 3000 chapters unfolded with Yu Joong-Hyeok as its focal point. The other two were called main characters only according to the narrative description provided during the story itself.
可以肯定的是，这个跨越3000多个章节的故事大部分是以余重赫为中心展开的。另外两个只是根据故事本身的叙述性描述才被称为主要人物。
– However, the other two are just as monstrous as Yu Joong-Hyeok, alright. Especially in the current point of time, the ‘third protagonist’ is a far stronger existence than Yu Joong-Hyeok is.
-但是另外两个和余重赫一样可怕，没错尤其是在当前这个时间点上，“第三个主角”的存在要比余重赫强大得多
– ….Even more powerful than that dude?
比那家伙还厉害？
I nodded my head while scanning the empty meditation chamber around us.
我一边点头，一边扫视着周围空荡荡的冥想室。
This was where the Reincarnators would perform penance and cleanse themselves - a chamber designed to soothe one’s mind, fatigued and frayed by experiencing many cycles of Samsara.
这里是转世者进行忏悔和净化自己的地方——一个被设计用来抚慰因经历多次轮回而疲惫和磨损的心灵的房间。
I could hear the recitation of Buddhist scriptures coming from here and there, but couldn’t see the King anywhere.
我到处都能听到佛经的朗诵声，却看不到国王的身影。
“Where is the ‘King of Reincarnators’?”
“‘转世之王’在哪里?”
“The King is already with us.”
“国王已经来了。”
“But, all I see are the baldy monks, though?”
“但是，我看到的只是那些秃头修道士，对吧?”
Han Su-Yeong’s words were countered with an emotionless reply from the Warrior Monk. “He is everywhere, yet at the same time, nowhere.”
韩素英的话遭到了战僧毫无表情的回答。“他无处不在，但同时又无处不在。”
“I’m sure you didn’t bring us here to crack jokes.”
“我肯定你带我们来这儿不是为了开玩笑的。”
“He does not speak to those who lack the qualifications to see him.”
“他不和那些没有资格见他的人说话。”
“How amusing. Is that your way of bringing up the next topic of conversation?” replied Han Su-Yeong, as the corner of her lips curled upwards.
“真有趣。这是你提出下一个话题的方式吗?”韩素妍嘴角上翘，回答道。
I silently observed the expression of this mysterious Warrior Monk for a while, before opening my lips to speak. “If your King is everywhere, then that means anyone can become the ‘king’, doesn’t it?”
我静静地观察了一会这个神秘的武僧的表情，然后张开嘴唇开始说话。“如果你的国王无处不在，那就意味着任何人都可以成为‘国王’，不是吗?”
Geeee-iiiing!!
讨厌!！
The [Unbreakable Faith] held in my hand cried out sharply, and at the same time, the illusory sword light shot out towards the Adam’s apple of the Warrior Monk.
我手中的“坚不可摧的信仰”尖叫着，与此同时，虚幻的剑光向勇士的喉结射去。
Tsu-chuchuchuchut!
楚楚楚！
As if an invisible wall was blocking it, the blade’s tip pouring out powerful magical energy came to a dead stop right in front of the Warrior Monk’s nose. He grinned and spoke.
仿佛有一堵看不见的墙挡住了它，刀刃的尖端喷出强大的魔法能量，在武僧的鼻子前停了下来。他咧嘴一笑，说道。
[You’ve settled on a rather provocative solution. You’re correct. Anyone can become a Buddha once they become enlightened.]
[你已经决定了一个相当挑衅的解决方案。你是对的。任何人一旦觉悟，都可以成为佛陀。]
His mantra reverberated throughout the space itself. (ED: True voice → mantra.)
他的咒语回荡在整个空间
I withdrew my sword and observed the Warrior Monk once more. An ethereal, subtle aura was oozing out from his entire body. His irises were now dyed in pure white, and within them, the shadow of a mandala spun anti-clockwise.
我拔出我的剑，又一次观察了一下武僧。他的整个身体散发出一种飘渺而微妙的气息。他的鸢尾花现在染成了纯白色，在它们里面，曼荼罗的影子逆时针旋转。
Most likely, this Warrior Monk was one of the countless Incarnations the ‘King of Reincarnators’ operated.
最有可能的是，这个武僧是‘转世王’操纵的无数化身之一。
[However, you won’t be able to continue on with the scenarios in that fashion forever, oh, the apostle of ■■ who carries the weight of salvation.] “Please, don’t speak as if you’re aware of all my methods.”
[然而，你不可能永远以那种方式继续这些场景，哦，■的使徒，承担着拯救的重量。]“请不要说得好像你知道我所有的方法似的。”
I no longer thought of ‘Ways of Survival’ as a mere novel, and I definitely didn’t see my companions as simple ‘characters’ of it, as well. That didn’t mean that I would never utilise the information already in my possession, though.
我不再认为《生存之道》仅仅是一部小说，我也绝对不认为我的同伴是它的简单人物。但这并不意味着我永远不会利用我所拥有的信息。
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, the ‘Guardian of Mandala’.”
“很高兴认识你，‘曼荼罗的守护者’。”
Even though [The 4th Wall] was active, I was still subjected to a considerable oppressive force. The ‘friendly’ Status in front of my eyes wavered around gently. The true appearance of the formidable being slowly materialised behind the Warrior Monk to our observing eyes.
尽管第四道长城很活跃，我仍然受到相当大的压迫。我眼前的“友好”状态温柔地摇摆着。在武僧身后，我们观察的眼睛慢慢地看到了可怕的真实面目。
There he was, the ruler of the most ancient stratum of darkness in existence.
他就在那里，统治着现存最古老的黑暗阶层。
Even if it were Metatron of <Eden> or the highest-ranked Demon Kings of the Demon World, none of them could contend against this being within this island.
即使是伊甸园的梅塔特隆或是恶魔世界中级别最高的恶魔之王，他们也无法与这座岛屿中的恶魔抗衡。
[‘The 4th Wall’ is quivering its non-existent eyebrows.] [‘Wall that Decides Samsara’ is showing an interest in you.]
“第四道墙”颤动着它根本不存在的眉毛。“决定轮回的墙”对你表示出兴趣
Tsu-chuchuchuchut!
楚楚楚！
Jang Ha-Yeong’s [Unidentifiable Wall], Metatron’s [Wall Dividing Good and Evil], and finally, the third wall - the ‘Guardian of Mandala’ was the owner of the [Wall that Decides Samsara].
张河映(无法辨认的城墙)，梅塔特隆(划分善恶的城墙)，最后是第三道城墙——“曼荼罗的守护者”，是“决定轮回的城墙”的主人。
[I see that it’s the ‘fragment of the Final Wall’. I’m guessing that Nirvana is trapped inside it?]
[我看到那是‘最后一道墙的碎片’。我猜想涅磐被困在里面了?]
“You’re correct.”
“你说得对。”
[He was a child who could’ve become a good Bodhisattva. Unfortunately, he met you and had to leave my path of Buddhism.] “Well, I believe that the person in question feels satisfied.”
他是一个可以成为一个好菩萨的孩子。不幸的是，他遇到了你，不得不离开我的佛教之路“嗯，我相信这个人感到满意。”
It was around there that Han Su-Yeong butted in to our conversation.
韩素英就是在这附近插进我们的谈话的。
“Hold up…. By any chance, are you the Buddha? THE Buddha?”
“等等......你是佛祖吗?佛祖吗?”
[There are many different types of Buddhas in this world, and I’m merely one of them.]
[这个世界上有许多不同类型的佛，我只是其中之一。]
Han Su-Yeong now carried a dumbfounded expression on her face.
韩素英的脸上现出一种目瞪口呆的表情。
But then again, her reaction was wholly understandable, considering that a Constellation claiming to be the Buddha had made his entrance. This Buddha-nim carried a gentle smile as he spoke to me.
不过话又说回来，她的反应完全可以理解，因为一个自称是佛陀的星座登场了。这位佛尼姆对我说话时，脸上带着温柔的微笑。
[I’ve watched your stories for a very long time, dear Bodhisattvas.] “But, I don’t remember receiving your sponsorships before?”
[我看你的故事看了很久了，亲爱的菩萨]“可是，我不记得以前接受过你的赞助?”
[There are those Constellations who would reveal their gazes and flaunt their authority, and there are also those whose existence is a mystery. The true Buddhist offerings aren’t in the forms of sponsorships, but through simple but meditative contemplations.] “You sure can dress up the fact that you’ve been watching the show for free. Alright, then. What is that you want from me?”
有些星座会露出他们的目光，炫耀他们的权威，也有些星座的存在是一个谜。真正的佛教奉献不是以赞助的形式，而是通过简单而沉思的方式“你肯定可以粉饰你一直在免费观看这个节目的事实。那好吧。你想从我这里得到什么?”
[What I want? Do you believe that this self wishes something from you, dear Bodhisattva?]
[我想要什么?亲爱的菩萨，你相信这个自我希望你得到什么吗?]
I shifted my gaze over to the giant bell located in the middle of the meditation chamber. A small soul wrapped in a blinding light was inside the bell made out of transparent material.
我把目光转移到位于冥想室中央的巨大钟上。一个小小的灵魂被耀眼的光芒包裹在透明材料制成的钟里。
I already knew whose soul that was.
我已经知道那是谁的灵魂。
“You’ve decided to reincarnate Yu Sang-Ah-ssi. Even though I didn’t request it of you.”
“你决定转世投胎，虽然不是我要求的。”
[……]
[......]
“You have invited us here and allowed us to recover. Again, even though I didn’t request for your aid.”
“你们邀请我们来这里，让我们恢复过来。再一次，尽管我没有请求你们的帮助。”
[Those are simply a part of one’s path to attain Buddhahood.] “There is this lesson I’ve learnt while dealing with Constellations until now. And that would be, there is no Constellation in this world who doesn’t expect anything in return when helping you out.”
那只是一个人成佛道路的一部分“到目前为止，我在与星座打交道时学到了这一课。也就是说，在这个世界上，没有一个星座在帮助你的时候不期待任何回报。”
[Dear Bodhisattva, you have arrived at a rather hasty conclusion. Only the one placing faith in the exceptions of everything can discern the end of the scenario.]
亲爱的菩萨，你得出了一个相当仓促的结论。只有相信万事皆有例外的人才能看清这个剧本的结局
I wordlessly glared at the Warrior Monk, before pointing at the bell in the centre of the meditation chamber. I addressed the monk. “Don’t confine the Incarnation Yu Sang-Ah to this island, please. She is far more valuable than you can imagine.”
我一言不发地盯着武僧，然后指着禅室中央的钟。我对那个和尚说。“请不要把余桑雅的化身限制在这个岛上。她的价值远远超出你的想象。”
[All beings reincarnating on this island will become a part of the island.]
[所有的生物转世在这个岛上将成为该岛的一部分。]
I shook my head. “Like what you said just now, there are exceptions to everything, aren’t there? She’ll be able to pick up after where Nirvana left off. Make Incarnation Yu Sang-Ah your new [Arahat].”
我摇了摇头。”“就像你刚才说的，凡事都有例外，不是吗？她可以从Nirvana中断的地方重新开始。让化身余相雅成为你的新[亚拉哈特].”
The ‘Arahat’, or the Seekers of Truth, were not shackled to the ‘Isle of Reincarnators’, and were free to roam the worlds of scenarios and continue to experience the cycles of reincarnation.
阿拉哈特，或者说寻找真理的人，并没有被束缚在转世之岛上，他们可以自由地在各种情景的世界里漫游，并继续经历轮回转世。
“I’m willing to make the deal with you when you do that.”
“当你这么做的时候，我愿意和你做交易。”
[Making a deal, is it. Do you believe that you know what this self wishes for?] “Isn’t it to stop the ‘Great War of Saints and Demons’?”
达成协议，是吗。你相信你知道这个自我的愿望吗“这难道不是为了阻止‘圣恶大战’吗?”
[A futile attempt, that is. This self does not hold any interest in the contradictory Fables such as ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’.] “Even when those contradictory Fables are about to make an unholy mess out of your island?”
那是徒劳的尝试。这个自我对于矛盾的寓言，如“善”和“恶”，没有任何兴趣。]“即使那些矛盾的寓言即将把你的岛屿搞得一团糟?”
As if he found this topic rather amusing, the eyes of the Warrior Monk arced rather elegantly.
好像他觉得这个话题很有趣似的，武僧的眼睛闪着优雅的弧光。
The ‘Guardian of Mandala’ was neither on the side of ‘Good’ nor ‘Evil’. If I were to describe it in words, then he was an existence far closer to ‘nothingness’. So, there was just no way that such a being would welcome the authorities of ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’ growing larger within his territory.
