I spent the night in the corner, but honestly, the cold ground just doesn’t cut it for anymore. When Powder and Roxy were both out cold, I quietly whipped up a soft pillow, a warm blanket, and a comfy mattress with my quill. Hehehe... Author privileges... ahem. I slept like a king, and now I’m brimming with energy!
I get up, erase my little comfort setup from existence, and stretch. Morning stretches are very important, you know.
I glance around—they’re still out, sleeping so loudly and deeply it’s a miracle the house is still standing.
Suddenly, a strange energy washes over , and the system screen materializes before my eyes. A golden, spectral crown forms above my head, gleaming for a brief mont before sinking into my body.
What’s going on?
[Congratulations, Author!]
[We are pleased to announce that your work has been recognized as outstanding. You have received a contract. From today onward, you will earn gold coins for every Chapter your readers unlock. The more unlocks you achieve, the richer you will beco. This is for your comfort. Welco to Team WebNovel.]
[You have been approved by our editor. He can be reached through your system screen.]
[This contract ans you will reach a wider audience. We wish you the best of luck on your journey ahead.]
OH!? That actually sounds epic. Then again... do I really need gold coins when I can literally create anything I imagine?
The system screen flickers at my thought, glitching a few tis before settling on a new ssage.
[We’d like to offer you mythical coins in addition.]
Mythical coins? Oh, now I’m interested. At least I can talk to the system in my head—no one else can eavesdrop on this.
[Mythical coins are a currency used to purchase new abilities, power-ups, and upgrades for your quill. While you are the author of this story, to keep the plot engaging, we have placed certain restrictions on your tool—you should have noticed this by now. Balance is the key to a good story.]
Or just another way to scam the author... I sulk inwardly. Feels like I’m being taken advantage of, but fine. I’ll let it slide—especially since I’m still buzzing over being acknowledged by the editor. Should I say hello today? ...Nah. If he needs , he’ll probably reach out first.
Alright, I accept. But... when do I actually get paid?
[So far, you have yet to lock your Chapters. We suggest doing so starting from Chapter 40.]
Wait—what Chapter am I even on right now? I haven’t been keeping track. I pull up my system profile.
Chapter 22... currently in progress.
HUH?! Seventy-eight of you have already collected my book?! WOW! Thank you so much! We need to celebrate—umm... with what, though? I glance around, but there’s nothing that screams "reader reward" to .
[How about you give them what they want the most?]
The system screen gives a little tremble. Ah? And that would be...?
[Extra Chapters.]
OHH! That makes sense. Alright then. I clap my hands together and get ready.
"Powder! Roxy! Get up!"
They both jolt upright like lightning struck the bed, eyes still glazed from sleep. Roxy’s got a fresh crop of pimples dotting her face, and I almost crack up—but I hold it in.
"Quill? What ti is it? Let sleep..." she groans, rubbing her left eye before flopping back onto her pillow.
Powder, for so reason, is staring down at his pants. Ah, right. He’s probably wondering why his morning wood isn’t rising. Hehe... let’s keep that little mystery between us, okay, readers? wink
I slip the quill behind my back, hiding the finger as it bursts into a faint, bloody mist, and begin to scribble in the air.
{The roof above Roxy begins to leak, and a sudden splash of water pours down on her, forcing her awake.}
That should do it. I grin.
A deep creak echoes above, and then—SPLASH!—a torrent of icy water cascades over her head like a waterfall dumped from the heavens. She jerks up with a shriek, sputtering and flailing as her hair plasters to her face, cold droplets racing down her neck and soaking the collar of her shirt. Her breath catches in little gasps, and she hugs herself against the chill, shuffling back like she’s trying to escape an invisible enemy.
"What the hell?!" she barks, shoving the wet hair from her eyes. "Where did this water even co from!?"
The mix of rage, shock, and shivers is almost too much. I’m biting my tongue so hard not to laugh.
"Let’s go. Our adventure awaits! There’s no ti to sleep." I pull my scythe from my system inventory and study it in silence.
You managed to kill the author... what else are you capable of? Maybe the quill isn’t the most powerful tool I have after all.
About twenty minutes later, we’re ready to head out—Powder shuffling on my left with tears still in his eyes, and Roxy on my right, absently prodding at her face. We move through the forest like we own it, though in truth, I’ve never explored the whole thing in my life.
Roxy takes the lead, guiding us through the dense greenery until the trees thin and the outline of Arcana cos into view. It’s a modest city, but it boasts an Adventurer’s Guild. And according to what I’ve heard, this is where Glorius first awakened as a hero. Nobody knows exactly where he ca from, though so whisper that he’s... "overworldly." Whatever that ans.
I stop in front of the city gate, where two guards stand watch, inspecting and questioning everyone who enters. My heart flutters. I’ve never been this far from ho before... but it’s only temporary, right? After all, I never even said goodbye to my sister. Maybe I should invite her into my party—but no. It’s too dangerous. I can’t modify her, can’t make her stronger. Damn main plotline restrictions... curse you to hell.
"State your na and purpose."
It’s finally our turn, and the guard’s bark is anything but friendly. Judging by his tone, he’s one of those guys who lives to start trouble. Fine. I can play that ga.
"I’m Quill, and this is Roxy." I gesture toward her. "And that’s Powder." I point at him. "We’re here to register as adventurers," I declare proudly, which earns a few surprised looks from bystanders.
"You three? Adventurers? Bahaha! Good one!" The guard elbows his companion, grinning like a hyena. "You look like you just crawled out of your mom’s womb." His buddy chuckles under his breath, clearly ready to join in.
Yeah... hilarious.
I quietly pull out my quill, scribbling in the air with a smirk—this ti aid at the other guard.
{You take offense to the nudge. Anger surges through you. Your fist rises on its own and smashes into the one who nudged you. You don’t stop. You keep swinging, pounding his crotch until it’s as soft as mashed potatoes.}
Assholes... I lean back and wait for the show to start.
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