In what dimension is the reader of a story in relation to the story?

If you read a story the characters ‘come to life’ in your imagination. You see their world from the higher perspective that encompasses all the details the author gives you, and some you fill in.

The characters can’t see you, or even comprehend anything at all. But, they are as relatable as if someone was telling you about a real set of events happening in real time.

For the reader having this all encompassing depth of vision about a story is akin to xray vision, or a birds eye view.

In what dimension is a reader, compared to a character in a fictitious story?

Perhaps, “The Never Ending Story” deals with this explicitly.

I am not talking about the perspective being first person or third person, et al. That’s the perspective the story is written in.