But when I was ready to hurt my hand, suddenly my bedroom door knocked
Knock! Knock! The sound of the door caused me to jump in surprise.
Mother called from outside, "Honey! Please return the knife mother, mother is cooking this."
I, who wanted to hurt my own hand, finally stopped for a moment. I considered whether hurting myself would actually affect the story or be a kind of sacrifice.
I stood up from my seat and breathed a sigh of relief at the possibility that the novel would not end in a "Bad Ending." But then, over the computer screen popped up a message that took me by surprise:
[Author Pen Unlocked]
[Write down your choice to continue the story]
I was silent, confused by what had just happened. It turns out, I have the choice to change the flow of this story. I felt like I was the writer in this story, not just the reader.
What should I do now? What choices can I make to change the course of this story?
My hands haven't touched the keyboard but then suddenly the bedroom door opened suddenly. Mother came in with a hot face, "Honey! Please return my knife!"
I gasped, feeling guilty for holding the knife without permission. "A-Ah, alright, mother. Here, I'm not use it anymore..."
I felt a bit nervous as I grabbed the knife and gave it back to my mother. What just happened on my computer still confused me, but I had to finish the assignment my mother had given me first.
Mom looked at my computer, her eyes scrunched up as she tried to read the messages appearing on the screen. "What's that?" my mother asked, looking curious.
I felt a little nervous, but I decided to tell my mom. "Oh, I'm just... writing a novel," I answered in a low voice.
Mother was silent for a moment, perhaps digesting the information. Then, he smiled gently. "Creating a novel? That's certainly interesting work. I wish you success, darling."
I was relieved that my mother seemed to support my interest. But there's something much weirder going on my computer, and I don't know what to do next yet.
I was relieved to hear my mother's words. "A-Aren't you angry? You want me to be successful..."
Mother smiled and approached, "Hmm? No, son. Whatever you do will be successful if your intentions are right. I always support you." His index finger was on my chest pointing towards my heart
Gratitude overflows in my heart, and I feel lucky to have such an understanding mother. However, there is still a big task ahead of me, which is to choose how I will continue this strange story.
Nod nods, I nodded quickly
Mom smiled, "Then, Mother will continue cooking. Don't forget to come down when the food is ready, OK?"
Once again, I nodded. "Yes, mom."
After that, when mom left my room, I went back to my computer, still confused about the choices I had to make in this story.
"[Write down your choices to continue the story]" I reread what I saw
In that case…. I started writing I wanted the story to continue without having to make the main character end his life
I started writing diligently, trying to continue the story without leading to the tragic ending mentioned before. I want the main character to stay alive and face interesting challenges in the course of the story.
After typing a few paragraphs, I felt satisfied with the storyline I created. I'm sure this will be a better path than the previous tragic ending.
But suddenly, the computer screen flickered again, and a message appeared:
[Choice Made: Character Survival]
[Added Plot Armor!]
[Await Consequences]
I feel tense. What is meant by these "consequences"? That's okay, what's important is that the main character stays alive. Nothing could go bad with that, right?
I continued writing with enthusiasm, relieved that the main character of the story would survive. I imagined the exciting adventures he would have and how the story would develop better.
"Yes... that's all for now, let's live again, 'My novel'."
But, when I typed the last word, something strange happened. The room I was in suddenly became completely dark. All the lights are off, including my computer. I tried turning on the light switches around me, but they didn't work.
"Why?" I muttered, feeling anxious.
As I sat in total darkness, I felt something was wrong. I felt like there was a presence in this room, even though I was supposed to be alone. The atmosphere became increasingly tense.
Suddenly, a voice that sounded very close greeted me in an unfriendly tone, "Why are you trying to change the fate of this story?"
I looked around with searching eyes, trying to find the source of the sound. With a trembling voice, I answered, "Heh! This is my stupid story!"
"Ah, but this story is a fire in a wide ocean," said the mysterious voice.
I was horrified. Where did the sound come from? Is it real or just my imagination? I felt around me looking for something or someone, but I didn't see anything.
Then, the voice laughed, an inhuman sound that sent shivers down my spine. "But nothing can change what is destined..."
Then, suddenly, everything went pitch black, and I felt as if I was being dragged into outer space. But that can't be right, can it? I felt like my body was being tortured by enormous gravity.
I drifted towards a gaping black hole, and everything got darker. What happened? How did I get here? And what is meant by "story destiny"? I feel that my journey in this story has just begun, and I don't know what will happen next.
My body feels like I'm being thrown into a dark black hole, where strong gravity pulls everything around me into an endless vortex. I felt trapped in this eerie dark vortex, and there was no light or sound except for the rustling wind that dragged me deeper.
***
"Alan, Alan!" I heard my mother wake me up with a loud voice.
"Ugh!?" I opened my eyes and felt confused. I was in my room, sitting at my computer desk. Was it just a dream? Oh, luckily. I felt relieved when I realized that, especially because my clothes felt soaked with sweat.
Mother sighed, "You've been saying, 'Change the Story, Change the Story.' You...get up quickly, wash your face, and eat, before going to bed."
I nodded, trying to push the remnants of my strange dream from my mind. Before I stood up, I looked at my computer monitor and was shocked by the message that appeared on the screen:
[Access change story: Denied]
[msg: You can only change the story by leading them not changing the line.]
What does this message mean? I feel increasingly confused. Is this still related to my dream earlier? I decided to ignore the message and went to the kitchen with my mother.
In the kitchen, my mother was busy preparing breakfast. The fragrant aroma of coffee and toast fills the air. "Alan, did you have a nightmare earlier?" my mother asked while sipping a cup of coffee.
I shook my head, trying to shake off the memory of my dream earlier. "No, mother. Just a strange dream. It's okay."
Mom smiled, "Okay, don't stay up too late in front of your computer, okay? You need to get enough sleep."
I nodded, "Yes, mother. I will try to sleep early."
Even though I tried to put aside the strange incident just now, I felt that something unusual was happening in my life, and that made me even more curious about the story behind my computer screen.
I looked at my mother who looked a bit awkward. "Mom, why are you drinking coffee at this time of night?"
Mother smiled shyly. "Oh, this... Yes, that's how it is. I just feel like I need a boost to finish some kind of cleaning."
I nodded, although I still felt that my mother's reasoning was a bit strange. "Okay, if mom feels so."
We ate breakfast together, and the atmosphere became more comfortable. Even though the strange incident with my computer still lingers in my mind, I try not to think about it too much. After breakfast, I went back to my room and planned to turn off the computer.
However, before I did, I felt something strange. My feeling was right, the story I had written came back, flowing like endless water.
I smiled and sat in the chair, looking at what had just appeared on the screen. Apparently, this story continues from the part where the main character gets the message to save Elerona.
"Come on, don't just end like that…" I whispered to myself while continuing to read the story that continues.
I'm starting to imagine what I'm reading, hopefully playing the character is sensitive...
***
[Back to the world of novels]
[Quest Warning]
[Protect the Princess Elerona from poison]
[Time: 1 hour]
[Reward: 2x Experience, Mana]
[Must Help!!!]
I stared at the screen which suddenly appeared with the message "Quest Warning? Must Help?" It feels strange, like my computer is now interacting directly with this story. What is the meaning of this message? Should I do something?
「 Save Elerona! Kartia! 」the voice came out of nowhere
I looked around, but didn't see who or know who was shouting, "Who!?"
I waited for the voice to reply while looking around, trying to figure out who was talking. However, there was nothing I could see or hear. Then, who actually spoke earlier?
***
[Back to Alan]
I was surprised to see Kratia could hear me "He… can hear me?"
It was such a good opportunity, I looked for where my microphone was, and once I found it, I brought it up to my mouth. "Kratia, can you hear me?" I said in a clear voice, hoping that my message could be heard by Kratia.
Slowly the writing appeared by replying to my words, "Nods nods."
I read that and took it as a response that Kratia or the main character could hear me
***
「Keep Elerona away from the guest room! Don't let her drink what the maid gave her! 」the voice became loud and clear as if it was in my head
I heard that voice clearly, as if it were in my own head. This was a very important voice, a voice that asked for my help to keep Elerona away from the living room and prevent her from drinking what the maid gave her.
Without hesitation, I expressed my wish, even though I knew my voice would only be heard in my own thoughts, "I will help you, Elerona!"
As if responding to my call, the computer screen flickered, and the message changed:
[Quest Accepted]
[Protect the Princess Elerona from poison]
[Time Remaining: 59 minutes]
[Reward: 2x Experience, Mana]
< Chapter 5 > To Be Continued.