60 Day 59: The Scum Is A Bug* (1/2)

(Note: * an error, flaw, failure or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways.)

”That 'escaped' character possessing the character from the other stories, of course the stories will just change because of a sudden change in a character.” The voice explained.

”... can't you talk with that character?” he asked, referring to Sheng.

”The system could only talk to the characters it made contact to.” The voice answered. It's referring to the 'players', people like him, who are pulled into a story (transmigrated). ”How to deal with the escaped character... it's up to you, player.” It told him, now telling him his main mission – to deal with Sheng.

The story's consistency is just second. Since Sheng changes the story, dealing with Sheng, of course the story will go back to original.

It was a while before he spoke. ”... Sheng doesn't remember me.” he said, referring to Sheng not recognizing him that they met in the previous world.

”... you can't tell him that you transmigrated.” The voice said, serious.

He didn't answer.

The voice continued. ”He's an escaped character, that's why he's giving the system a problem. But, the problem just added since he also changes the story. So – ” it said. ” – you telling him you transmigrated will just add more to the problem. He's an escaped character, though we're not sure if he has memory or not of him going to different stories, but you can't just tell him you also could go to different stories, and that you're aware that he's an escaped character which he may or may not aware of.” It explained.

A long silence fell.

The voice 'sighed', now speaking softly. ”Just do your best. We're leaving the matter of dealing with him to you.” It said, then disappeared.

He didn't answer and just remained there standing, unmoved. Sheng could cross worlds, like him. But, he is aware of this that's why he can remember Sheng.

But, Sheng does not, and so he doesn't remember him. This hurts him. As to why... that's because he already fell in love with Sheng.

With a heavy heart, he personally sent himself to another world.

He doesn't know how long has he travelled and how many worlds he'd been in. Every time he sees Sheng again, he could only just love him, restraining himself.

”Hey! Hey!” a voice called and he heard footsteps.

He slowly opened his eyes. ”What?” he asked and opened his eyes.

”Man! Why are you sleeping out here?” the voice asked. ”What if those monsters eat you?”

His vision finally cleared. He saw a guy around his age, frowning at him. ”What?” he asked.

The guy's forehead knotted. ”Have you hit your head?” he asked him. ”Are you that broken-hearted our commander kicked you out because you're too cowardly?” he asked.

He held his head that's aching. Seems like I've been to another world again. He thought.

”Oh, uh... yeah.” He answered and slowly got up, his head still spinning.

”Geez!” the guy said and sighed. ”You know our commander is cold – hearted, yet you're too loyal to him.” he said and sighed again. ”Careful on your way back!” he told him and left.

He sighed, relieved, when the guy finally left. He held his aching head. ”System.” He called.

”Yes?” the system answered.

”Where am I now?” he asked. He remembered the previous story (world) he was in had gone well.

There's not much change since Sheng there is behaving lightly.

”... A Piece of Peace.” The voice answered.

A second passed before his body froze. ”... what?” he said.

But, the system didn't answer.

His eyes went wide, shocked. ”... and this character is?” he asked, his blood turning cold. He remembered what the guy that left earlier said.

”... too loyal to him (commander).” If what he's thinking is right, then he's really...

The voice of the system confirmed his thoughts. ”... Peng Yin.” it answered. ”A soldier attendant of the commander of the troop where the protagonist is a member with – ” it said.

But, he didn't hear more since his ears are ringing because of shock. I'm... in the story that I last read in my world. He thought, wide – eyed. I'm... in the body of the cannon fodder character I took pity with and became the cause why I transmigrated. He thought.

I'm...

”Player? Player?” the voice called.

His face is as pale as the moon tonight. ”I'm... I'm – ” he told the voice, but he knows the voice can't do anything about his situation. But, still... ”I'm... I'm here... this... this is – ” he said, stammering because of too much shock.

If he felt regret he took pity to the cannon fodder that became the cause of his transmigration... he still hasn't think of it yet.

Now is his time to think of it.

”Player, calm down.” The voice told him. ”I understand what you feel right now, but this isn't the time to be shocked.” it told him.

He froze, then frowned. The system is sure cold. He thought.

The voice continued. ”Yes. This story is the story where you commented because you took pity for a mere cannon fodder – ehem.” It cleared its throat when his eyes narrowed. ”Anyway, you already know the story.” It just said. ”You already know the SOP (standard operating procedures) – ” it said, referring to his mission – dealing with Sheng and making the story consistent to its original. ” – so... I wish you luck!” it said and disappeared.

It's really not sympathetic. He thought, referring to the system.

Peng Yin sighed because of his misfortune. ”Should I regret or what?” he muttered and scratched his head.

”A man never regrets his actions.” a voice said. ”Since our actions are our own choices, so we should take responsibility for it.”

Peng Yin raised his head and saw a figure leaning on the wall, covered in darkness. ”Commander...?” he called, careful. He deduced from the authoritative voice and the reason why 'he' (original Peng Yin) is out here in the wilderness.

It's the commander.

The commander just stood straight and told him. ”You shouldn't feel shame if you're a coward.” He told him. ”It'll just make you look even weaker.” He said and turned around.

Peng Yin's face went serious and he saluted. ”Thank you, sir!” he said and watched the figure walk away. He sighed, relieved. ”So this is the commander the original is a fan to.” He muttered and scratched his forehead. ”Guess I'd see his face tomorrow.” He said and took a step.

He immediately stopped when he felt the ground is wet. He looked down. Dark lines covered his face.

Why did I forget? He thought as he looked at the blood on the ground. Because it was dark, he didn't notice earlier his clothes are wet, too. Damn it. He thought. I almost forgot that the only reason why I can possess this body is because this character is dead.

But... why would the soldier attendant be dead? He thought. In the original story, Peng Yin (original) died together with his commander because he saved his commander. So, why is he dead now?

As soon as he realized the answer, dark lines covered his face. Right. I should know. He thought as a grin broke in his face.

Sheng, the plot breaker, is here in this world. He must have already arrived, that's why there's a change in plot.

He sighed and jumped in his room through the window. He grimaced when he saw a body lying on the floor bathing in blood.

”Aiaia...” he exclaimed as he jumped down then closed the window. He leaned on the wall. ”First night of camping in the wilderness and there's already two casualties.” He muttered, remembered he smelled blood coming from his soldier attendant.

His soldier attendant is weak, and so his soldier attendant could only have been killed.

”But... seems like that attendant of mine is quick – witted. He must have played dead to escape from the death blow our killer will give him...” he muttered as he hid the body of the killer under his bed.

Like his attendant, he was also attacked. But, since he's a commander, he was attacked while he's asleep.

Too bad because 'he' already took over their commander's body. He thought. And the killer just has to attack him when 'he' took over his body, and so he's 'awake'.

”I wonder why he's trying to kill us...?” he asked, referring to the now dead Gao Tang, one of his best soldiers. ”Well, enough of this.” he said and went to the bathroom to take shower. ”I still have to find that damn Yin!” he said, frowning.

His 'lover' that he always meets on every world where he was in... he must find him and this time he must stay and be with his lover!

Peng Yin sneezed and rubbed his itchy nose. He hadn't slept much last night since 'he' died. Fortunately, the guy who talked to him last night didn't notice he's bathing in blood.

”You alright?” the guy last night, Ou Mo, asked. He's the protagonist of this story. He's an average guy but when it comes to protecting others, he becomes the best fighter.

The typical protagonist that always level up to the critical situations. Peng Yin thought. He nodded. ”Yes. I'm alright – ” he told him.

Ou Mo nodded, convinced.

The usual protagonist – gullible. Peng Yin thought and sighed. ”I'll be stopping here.” He told him when they reached their commander's quarters.

Ou Mo nodded. ”Yes.” He said and left.

Peng Yin sighed and turned to the door. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock. ”Comman – ” he said and moved his fist.

But, the door opened and his knuckles knocked on the commander's forehead.

Peng Yin's eyes went wide, shocked. WTF! I'm gonna die, for real - ! he thought, pale, as he looked at his knuckles on the commander's forehead.

He immediately retracted his hand and respectfully bowed. ”S – sorry, sir! I - !” he said and gulped, his heart beating fast because of fear. He didn't have the chance to take a look on the commander's face because of shame. ”I'm sorry - !” he apologized and was about to leave, still bowing, when the commander grabbed his collar. ”Ack – ” he cried when he was choked. Is he going to choke me to death? He thought, went paler. He must be! Who would dare to touch the commander except that he has a death wish?! He thought and gulped, his face pale and he's sweating.