37 Day 36: The Scum Isnst Regretful (2/2)

Yu Sheng looked at him. ”... does this feel reality to you?” he asked him.

Zu Zhe's mind blanked out for one moment, then totally blanked out. His eyes dimmed and something is flashing inside his head.

He could see Yu Sheng waving his hand in front of his face, but he can't move.

”Alert. Alert.” A voice said inside his mind. ”The author (zu zhe) finally awakens and became aware of his surroundings.” The voice said.

”What the... who are you?” Zu Zhe asked, shocked, in his mind.

”Just an existence.” The voice answered. ”Don't worry. I don't live inside your mind, just that you could hear me inside your mind.” The voice explained.

Zu Zhe is speechless.

The voice continued. ”I'd like to remind the author that the world you're in now is reality.” The voice said.

Zu Zhe's eyes went wide.

”Yes. If you die, then that's the end for you. But for compensation, you could do anything you like. No restrictions or rules to follow, or tasks to do, unlike some online transmigration novels.” The voice said and coughed.

Zu Zhe grimaced.

”Also... since the author's life is important – ” the voice continued.

Zu Zhe's eyes narrowed. Of course it is! He thought, but didn't speak.

”The author will be given some special skills.” It said.

”What skills?”

”You can become a system of your own novel.” The voice answered.

”... so this is a power.” Zu Zhe said.

”Yes.” The voice answered.

”... are you a system?” Zu Zhe asked.

The voice didn't answer.

Zu Zhe sighed. ”How do I use the system?” he asked.

”You can control your characters' actions.” The voice answered. ”A screen and keyboard will pop out in front of you if you call the system. Just like what you were doing from where you came from.” It explained.

So I'm still an author. Zu Zhe thought. ”Alright.” He said. ”When can I use the system?” he asked.

”I'll notify you.” It answered.

Zu Zhe pressed his lips tight. ”... is there no way I can go back?” he asked, referring to Earth.

The voice didn't answer.

Zu Zhe fell silent. ”This feels like you're giving me a task and the reward is unsure.” He muttered.

”... I bid the author good luck.” The voice said and disappeared.

Zu Zhe blinked.

”What happened to you?” Yu Sheng asked. ”You blanked out for a moment.” He explained.

Zu Zhe stared at him. The villain... he thought. Right now, I'm with the villain. Who knows if this villain will kill me? he thought. If he could adjust the villain's characteristics... but, the voice still hasn't notified him when can he use the system.

He mentally sighed. ”I'm alright.” He told Yu Sheng. ”I'm just thinking.” He said.

Yu Sheng stared at him, then stood up.

”Hey.” he called. ”Are you going to kill me?” he asked.

Yu Sheng looked at him. ”No. Why did you think that?” he asked.

He didn't answer. ”... can I have your word?” he asked instead.

Yu Sheng answered without blinking. ”Yes.” He said.

Zu Zhe stared at him, then sighed. He sat on the bed and crossed his legs. Yu Sheng stared at him, then head towards the door.

”Hey!” Zu Zhe called. ”You're leaving?” he asked.

Yu Sheng nodded. ”Yes.” He answered. ”Ling – ling is still outside.” He said.

Zu Zhe's forehead knotted. In his story, he remembered Xi Ling left after waiting for Yu Sheng for one week outside the cave. When he came back, he brought some elders and strong disciples of the Upright Sect.

”But...” he said. ”Xi Ling already left...” he told him, reminding him of the plot in his story.

Yu Sheng just smiled and opened the door. ”Stay here for a while. I'll come back.” He told him.

Zu Zhe nodded, knows that he has nowhere to go to and just could only wait for Yu Sheng to take him out of the cave.

Also, he's a NEET. Even just staying inside this room for his entire life, he's contented with that.

”I just would like to say one thing.” Yu Sheng said before he went out.

”What?” Zu Zhe asked, still thinking.

”... we, your characters, are living.” Yu Sheng said and left, the door closed behind him.

Zu Zhe's eyes went wide. Honestly, even after the voice told him that this is reality, he just ignored it. Now, having told twice by the same person... really, it struck him, hard.

”zu zhe (author)?” the voice called.

”... so the magic words to make you appear is 'shenghou' (life).” Zu Zhe said. The voice didn't answer. ”So?” he called. ”Can I use the system now?” he asked.

”Yes.” The voice answered.

Like a confirmation, a hologram of PC and keyboard appeared in front of him.

”Err...” Zu Zhe said. ”Can I switch the PC to laptop?” he asked, remembered that sometimes he uses laptop to type his stories.

Well, actually, mostly he's typing on the laptop. (Wow. So real. This author also does this this way. xD)

”... please make do of what you have right now.”

”Cheap.” Zu Zhe said.

The voice ignored him. ”As I've already said earlier, you can alter your characters' attitude.” It said. ”But, warning. If the character becomes OOC, the plot will also change.” It said.

Zu Zhe froze.

The voice continued. ”Also... do remember this is reality. Even though they are characters you made, they will act on the description you wrote about them. The characters, since this is real, can go OOC, too. So... please watch out for OOCs, not of you but your characters instead.” It told him.

Black lines appeared on Zu Zhe's face. Even if he doesn't do something, the OOCs are already there, or has a high chance to happen. Damn. This likes landmines are everywhere! He thought, speechless.

”Author... I bid you good luck.” The voice said and disappeared.

Zu Zhe sat still on the bed for hours before he moved. And his move is to flip over the bed.

WTF?! He thought. What's with this situation he's in?! This is the literal reality! 'unknowns' (the not-sure-what-will-happen-in-the-future, well, like what is reality right now xD) are everywhere!

For a NEET like him whose life is used to be secured and known (sleeping, eating, staring at PC)... this is hell!

Zu Zhe fell on his hands and knees, depressed.

Since in his novel, Yu Sheng stayed at the Upright Sect in his return there for about a week before he killed the elders, Zu Zhe still has some time left to think on what he should do...

He froze, black lines appeared on his face as he realized something.

In his novel, after Yu Sheng killed the elders of the sect, he fled. But, earlier, Yu Sheng said he'll come back here.

Doesn't this mean... an OOC already?!

Little Dragon's G(r)ay Theater:

Chen Sheng: ... since the 'love story' of these two is interesting... I'll wait a little longer to my next appearance.

Zu Zhe: *yells. Don't regard this as 'love story'!

The voice: author (Zu Zhe)... you already became a character in your very own novel, so don't complain.

Zu Zhe: *to the voice. You! How dare you lecture me when you don't even show yourself!

The voice: ... want me to take back the system from you?

Zu Zhe: ... I guess I'd shut up for now...

Gray Dragon: .... Zu Zhe, the #1 complainant.

Zu Zhe: *to author. You shut up, too - !

Gray Dragon: ... guess I'd make Yu Sheng kiss him (Zu Zhe) again, now wide awake.

Zu Zhe: ... okay. It's me who'll shut up –

Yu Sheng: *grins. Guess I'll patiently wait for now...