Episode 1. Prologue
The letters on my phone screen seemed to be pushed away as if they were clamoring, and I skimmed through them with indifferent eyes.
The long fantasy novel 《Continent of Therame》.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this web novel while looking for something to read. It was a free work with less than 50,000 total views, yet it had been serialized up to 1,012 episodes, which piqued my interest. But of course, there was a reason for the low view count. The writing was decent, and the characters were good, but I didn't like the development itself. Major and supporting characters couldn't overcome their trials and all died, or the protagonist couldn't achieve the desired outcome, etc.
"In a word, it was too realistic."
Which reader would want to see such things in a novel? Especially since web novels have a strong tendency for vicarious satisfaction. So, I vowed several times to quit, but I couldn't take my eyes off it as if I were glued to something. Maybe I was curious about what kind of story the author wanted to show even by doing this.
"Is this the last episode now...?"
In the end, I reached the end of the story.
The land was dyed red by the sun setting on the horizon. A woman lay bleeding on it. Soon, she murmured softly. A soliloquy with no one to hear it.
"...It's empty."
- fin.
No more stories were allowed to me. The 《Continent of Therame》, which spanned 1,012 episodes, ended like this.
"I wondered if it would really end like this, and it really did..."
A strange sense of regret lingered. There was still one unresolved hint in this work. They tied up all the other hints well, but what were they thinking by not resolving the most important one?
"At least they should have shown the use of the 'Wanderer's Stone.'"
The 'Wanderer's Stone,' said to be imbued with miraculous power. It was a major element running through the novel, yet it ended so blandly even after the protagonist found the 'complete Wanderer's Stone.'
"Honestly, I thought they killed everyone to revive them with this..."
Of course, it was impossible to revive the main characters with the 'Wanderer's Stone' after more than half a year had passed since their deaths. It was possible to revive them if there was a special medium imbued with the soul of the target, but there wasn't any.
"Well, maybe there will be a side story later."
Putting aside my regrets, I opened the comment section of the last episode of 《Continent of Therame》.
- Kang Jun-ho: Guide Author, thank you for letting me enjoy the last episode. Honestly, many regrets remain, but I believe you will grow more in your next work, and I look forward to it. Thank you for showing me your world.
I have read countless web novels so far, but I have never left a comment. Even if it was the last episode, I would just savor the lingering feelings alone and move on.
"But if no one leaves a comment on the last episode after writing 1,012 episodes, they might stop writing. In fact, I might be the only one who read it to the end."
However, this was not out of sympathy for the author but out of my own greed. If an author with such perseverance stops writing here, it would be troublesome in many ways, as they might someday write a story I can be satisfied with.
"But in the end, only the protagonist survived. Humanity is barely left with ten thousand people."
That was the most regrettable part. I understand not being able to save all the characters, but I wished at least the major and supporting characters could have been saved. Isn't it truly sad to say it's a predetermined fate? Of course, their deaths were not meaningless. They all became stepping stones for the protagonist to reach the ending.
"The protagonist..."
Murmuring emptily, I raised my upper body and saw the photos hanging all over the wall. There were various kinds of flowers and trees, but among them, there were many photos of myself. Of course, it's not narcissism. It's quite difficult to be narcissistic with my appearance in the first place.
‘Damn...’
The reason I display my photos like this is simple. At least in these photos, I could be the protagonist. Looking back, my life was far from that of any protagonist. It was more like the life of a mere extra. To my unknown parents, I was just a bothersome extra, and to the bullies at school, I was just an unlucky extra. So I took photos like this to find solace. It might be a bizarre hobby to some, but this was the way I, an extra, lived.
Ding!
At that moment, a notification sound rang from my phone.
‘What is it? There shouldn't be anyone contacting me.’
When I checked my phone, it was none other than the author replying to my comment.
- Guide: Kang Jun-ho, thank you for watching the story of 《Continent of Therame》 to the end. I was actually thinking of stopping, but thanks to you, I feel encouraged.
Were they really thinking of stopping? I'm glad I left a comment.
- Kang Jun-ho: I'm really glad my comment gave you strength. You have perseverance, so I'm sure you'll be able to write a story that satisfies many people someday.
- Guide: Thank you for your kind words. And although it's a sudden question, what do you think is a better ending than before, Kang Jun-ho?
What do I think is a better ending than before? That's a really sudden question.
- Kang Jun-ho: Well, I guess it would be an ending that more people enjoy than before? Whether it's the readers or the characters.
At least that's what I thought. So when I found novels with settings or developments that left something to be desired, I would write fan fiction. That way, even if others didn't, at least I could be satisfied with the story. I admit it. I have many Special hobbies.
- Guide: I see. Certainly, if even one more person can enjoy it, it can be considered a better ending than before.
It was as if they had realized something.
- Guide: I'm going to erase this story and start again. Will you follow along with me then, Kang Jun-ho?
Are they saying they'll remake it and want me to read it then? I was considering writing fan fiction for the unsatisfying episodes, but now I don't have to.
- Kang Jun-ho: Of course. I'll follow along as much as I can.
However, if the same development where the main and supporting characters die continues, I plan to quit at any time.
- Guide: Ah, that's really a relief.
I chuckled at that reply. If it really goes well, they'll forget about readers like me.
Flash!
At that moment, a light flashed from the screen. Startled, I dropped my phone. The phone lay on the bed. The screen that had shown the replies suddenly switched to the work page of 《Continent of Therame》.
"What the...?"
The 1,012 episodes listed in order of the latest.
Swoosh!
But as the light swirled on the screen, the 1,012th episode at the top was instantly deleted. Then the 1,011th, the 950th, the 880th, the 721st.... As if a tower painstakingly built was collapsing one by one, the story of 《Continent of Therame》 began to disappear rapidly from this world.
"What, what...!"
Boom!
I shielded my eyes from the approaching light and gusts of wind. It was an unbelievable phenomenon even as I witnessed it directly. And finally.
Swoosh....
All episodes of 《Continent of Therame》 completely vanished from this world.
For the repetition of your fate.
A sentence appeared on the white screen. The moment I saw it, my vision went dark, and I collapsed onto the bed like a puppet with its strings cut.
- .....
- This is the only time I'll grant your old request.
*
Clip-clop─ Clip-clop─
The sound of horse hooves echoed in my ears. When I opened my eyes, I saw the inside of a carriage.
"Where is this...?"
I turned my head in a daze. The sunset light was outside the window.
"......?"
The moment the sunset light was obscured by tall trees, my pupils widened. A face reflected in the window. Black hair swayed with the movement of the carriage, and gentle-looking eyes were wide open.
‘...No way.’
With trembling hands, I touched the slender jawline. Then the person reflected in the window mimicked my actions exactly. Even though it wasn't my face.
"Ah, you're awake?"
A plump coachman peeked into the carriage through the front window.
"But you should sleep a little more. We still have a way to go before we reach the capital where Erestia Royal University is located. You're a new student this year, so you must not be familiar with this road yet."
I couldn't respond to him at all. Erestia Royal University. That was the main setting of the 《Continent of Therame》.
‘But why am I enrolling there?’
I was an ordinary office worker who had just been sitting on my bed in my room. So it didn't make sense to be riding in an old carriage heading to a university in a novel.
‘Is this a dream? Of course, it must be a dream, right?’
Of course, it would be. I must have fallen asleep right after work because I was tired. Haha, otherwise....
Thunk!
"Ouch!"
At that moment, the carriage jolted, and I hit my head against the wall. ...Ouch? Ouch? Did I just scream because it hurt?
"I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't see the stone bump. I'll be more careful driving from now on."
The coachman offered a sincere apology and slowed down the carriage. In a daze, I pulled my cheek.
‘Does it hurt?’
Why does it hurt? It shouldn't hurt, right? If it hurts, doesn't that mean this situation isn't a dream? So did I really get possessed into the novel like in any other web novel? Into the 《Continent of Therame》 that I was reading? Why?
- Guide: I'm going to erase this story and start again. Will you follow along with me then, Kang Jun-ho?
- Kang Jun-ho: Of course. I'll follow along as much as I can.
The comments I exchanged with the author suddenly came to mind. A sense of unease surged through me, making every nerve in my body stand on end.
‘Could it be... did they mean to possess me into this novel when they said to follow along?’
Then they should have said so directly instead of being so roundabout! If I had known, I would have pressed the report button first!
‘Ah, so that's why.’
What a cunning author. I was completely fooled by their calm tone. I grabbed my head as if squeezing it.
‘Damn, I should have just let them stop writing. I shouldn't have left a pointless comment....’
No, I should have just gone directly to twist their wrist. How dare they treat their novel's reader like this? They should be grateful to their only complete reader!
‘But... what's the purpose of possessing me into this place?’
Leaving aside how such a thing is possible, I have no idea what the author's purpose is. Just to create a better ending than before? So they're telling me to directly create that process? Then why did they possess me into this unknown body? This is a world where even the main characters all die....
Looking back at the window, I still see an unfamiliar face. Since it's a man, it's not the protagonist.... To my knowledge, there wasn't a main or supporting character with this face. At least this black hair is too ordinary. Even the eyes are black, which suits a passing extra. If this face appeared in the novel, it would have been described in one sentence as "looks kind" or "looks gentle."
‘...Let's calm down for now. I still don't know what's going on, but getting excited won't help.’
This is a cold world where appealing to emotions won't change anything. The only way to solve problems is through cold logic. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The pounding heartbeat slowly began to subside.
"Huh?"
At that moment, I noticed an unfamiliar rectangle next to me. It was the phone I had been holding until just now.
"What's this?"
I tilted my head and picked up the phone, naturally pressing the power button to turn on the screen.
[Setting Camera] / [Setting Album]
Then apps that weren't originally on my phone appeared on the screen. There were no other apps besides these two. Not even basic information like date or time was displayed. I tapped the camera-shaped [Setting Camera].
[Setting Camera]
- Change the settings of the subject you photographed. However, the amount of 'EP' required for changes is determined by the degree of plausibility.
※ Subjects with changed settings are stored in the 'Setting Album.'
※ Extra Points: 1,000 EP (Extra Point)
- EP is provided whenever you interfere with the original story or attract the attention of characters.
In short, I can change the settings of the subject I photographed? And 'EP' is required for that? So, in the end, I have to interfere with the main story to earn EP.... Haha, the author's intention is so obvious that I want to hit them.
‘But I don't quite grasp the importance of EP yet.... First, I should test the ability.’
But how do I use it? I looked around and tapped the screen.
"Oh."
At that moment, the camera screen appeared. The camera with a shooting button and a front-rear switch button. When I switched to the front camera, a naive-looking face that seemed easy to deceive appeared on the screen. I pressed the shooting button as I always did. There was no particular sound effect.
[Rai (Kang Jun-ho)]
● Physical Information
Stamina: 13.0
Strength: 13.0
Agility: 13.0
Mana: 0/? (0)
Mana Circuit: Knight
Mana Trait: ?
● Status
Mana Stone Disease: A condition where mana solidifies like stone due to high mana concentration. Currently, Rai's mana is completely solidified due to Mana Stone Disease.
● Special
None.
A screen like a notepad listed information about this body. It seems that I can change the settings according to my wishes here.
"So this guy's name is Rai."
To my knowledge, there was no main character with that name. In other words, Rai is an extra, as I suspected.
"But with stamina, strength, and agility all at 13, it's pretty good for an extra."
There are no status screens in 《Continent of Therame》, so there's no proper comparison. But if these values are the same as the 'Magical Engineering Measurement Machine' that exists here, it's decent. The average ability of Erestia Royal University's freshmen is 10.
"But because of Mana Stone Disease, mana is 0."
Mana Stone Disease is a concept that appears several times in the story, so I'm familiar with it. It's quite a troublesome disease, but I have ways to treat it. And if my guess is correct, this will actually be advantageous to me.
"Mana Circuit and Mana Trait aren't something to worry about right now, and what's Special?"
In short, is it my ability or something? This wasn't a setting in the original, so I'm not sure.
"Well, I can just test it directly."
After a moment of thought, I entered a sentence under 'Special.' Having written countless fanfics of web novels, I quickly came up with a setting that would satisfy me.
● Special
Sole Complete Reader: 'Rai' fully remembers the content of 《Continent of Therame》.
I'm not a genius, just an ordinary reader, so I don't remember all the stories of 《Continent of Therame》. So I needed to recall it even by borrowing the power of this ability. If I only know the main plot, I won't be able to deal with the various variables that arise as I intervene.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' requires a total of 971 'EP' to change settings.]
[Do you want to save the settings for 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'? Yes/No]
When I pressed the save button, small windows popped up. Fortunately, it was an amount of points I could change with the points I had.
"But 1,000 doesn't seem like a small amount of points...."
It's a necessary setting, but I can't use it recklessly without knowing the value of EP yet. And if I input it well, I might be able to reduce the amount of EP. It did say that the amount of EP required is determined by the degree of plausibility.
"Wait, maybe...?"
Something occurred to me, and I entered the sentence again.
● Special
Sole Complete Reader: 'Kang Jun-ho' fully remembers the content of 《Continent of Therame》.
I, Kang Jun-ho, am currently Rai. It's even labeled as 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' here. So I should be able to apply the ability not only to Rai but also to myself.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' requires a total of 51 'EP' to change settings.]
[Do you want to save the settings for 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'? Yes/No]
As expected, the required EP significantly decreased. Rai has never read the novel 《Continent of Therame》, while I, Kang Jun-ho, have completed it, so the plausibility is supplemented accordingly.
"I think I know how to use this."
Without hesitation, I pressed 'Yes.' Investing 51 was definitely worth it.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'s changed settings are saved in the 'Setting Album.']
As a blue light spread over my body, the contents of 《Continent of Therame》 flooded into my mind. Countless letters wriggled, and various scenes flowed in like a film.
"Huh, I really remember it vividly."
It's not just the content. Even the emotions of the characters contained in all the descriptions are alive like blood vessels. With this, as long as I have EP, I can add various Specialties, or abilities. Now I have 949 EP left. If I use these well, I can survive even as an extra in this body. No, beyond that, I can change the unsatisfying developments of the original to my liking. Just like the fanfics I've been writing.
Clip-clop─ Clip-clop─
The sound of horse hooves echoed in my ears. When I opened my eyes, I saw the inside of a carriage.
"Where is this...?"
I turned my head in a daze. The sunset light was outside the window.
"......?"
The moment the sunset light was obscured by tall trees, my pupils widened. A face reflected in the window. Black hair swayed with the movement of the carriage, and gentle-looking eyes were wide open.
‘...No way.’
With trembling hands, I touched the slender jawline. Then the person reflected in the window mimicked my actions exactly. Even though it wasn't my face.
"Ah, you're awake?"
A plump coachman peeked into the carriage through the front window.
"But you should sleep a little more. We still have a way to go before we reach the capital where Erestia Royal University is located. You're a new student this year, so you must not be familiar with this road yet."
I couldn't respond to him at all. Erestia Royal University. That was the main setting of the 《Continent of Therame》.
‘But why am I enrolling there?’
I was an ordinary office worker who had just been sitting on my bed in my room. So it didn't make sense to be riding in an old carriage heading to a university in a novel.
‘Is this a dream? Of course, it must be a dream, right?’
Of course, it would be. I must have fallen asleep right after work because I was tired. Haha, otherwise....
Thunk!
"Ouch!"
At that moment, the carriage jolted, and I hit my head against the wall. ...Ouch? Ouch? Did I just scream because it hurt?
"I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't see the stone bump. I'll be more careful driving from now on."
The coachman offered a sincere apology and slowed down the carriage. In a daze, I pulled my cheek.
‘Does it hurt?’
Why does it hurt? It shouldn't hurt, right? If it hurts, doesn't that mean this situation isn't a dream? So did I really get possessed into the novel like in any other web novel? Into the 《Continent of Therame》 that I was reading? Why?
- Guide: I'm going to erase this story and start again. Will you follow along with me then, Kang Jun-ho?
- Kang Jun-ho: Of course. I'll follow along as much as I can.
The comments I exchanged with the author suddenly came to mind. A sense of unease surged through me, making every nerve in my body stand on end.
‘Could it be... did they mean to possess me into this novel when they said to follow along?’
Then they should have said so directly instead of being so roundabout! If I had known, I would have pressed the report button first!
‘Ah, so that's why.’
What a cunning author. I was completely fooled by their calm tone. I grabbed my head as if squeezing it.
‘Damn, I should have just let them stop writing. I shouldn't have left a pointless comment....’
No, I should have just gone directly to twist their wrist. How dare they treat their novel's reader like this? They should be grateful to their only complete reader!
‘But... what's the purpose of possessing me into this place?’
Leaving aside how such a thing is possible, I have no idea what the author's purpose is. Just to create a better ending than before? So they're telling me to directly create that process? Then why did they possess me into this unknown body? This is a world where even the main characters all die....
Looking back at the window, I still see an unfamiliar face. Since it's a man, it's not the protagonist.... To my knowledge, there wasn't a main or supporting character with this face. At least this black hair is too ordinary. Even the eyes are black, which suits a passing extra. If this face appeared in the novel, it would have been described in one sentence as "looks kind" or "looks gentle."
‘...Let's calm down for now. I still don't know what's going on, but getting excited won't help.’
This is a cold world where appealing to emotions won't change anything. The only way to solve problems is through cold logic. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The pounding heartbeat slowly began to subside.
"Huh?"
At that moment, I noticed an unfamiliar rectangle next to me. It was the phone I had been holding until just now.
"What's this?"
I tilted my head and picked up the phone, naturally pressing the power button to turn on the screen.
[Setting Camera] / [Setting Album]
Then apps that weren't originally on my phone appeared on the screen. There were no other apps besides these two. Not even basic information like date or time was displayed. I tapped the camera-shaped [Setting Camera].
[Setting Camera]
- Change the settings of the subject you photographed. However, the amount of 'EP' required for changes is determined by the degree of plausibility.
※ Subjects with changed settings are stored in the 'Setting Album.'
※ Extra Points: 1,000 EP (Extra Point)
- EP is provided whenever you interfere with the original story or attract the attention of characters.
In short, I can change the settings of the subject I photographed? And 'EP' is required for that? So, in the end, I have to interfere with the main story to earn EP.... Haha, the author's intention is so obvious that I want to hit them.
‘But I don't quite grasp the importance of EP yet.... First, I should test the ability.’
But how do I use it? I looked around and tapped the screen.
"Oh."
At that moment, the camera screen appeared. The camera with a shooting button and a front-rear switch button. When I switched to the front camera, a naive-looking face that seemed easy to deceive appeared on the screen. I pressed the shooting button as I always did. There was no particular sound effect.
[Rai (Kang Jun-ho)]
● Physical Information
Stamina: 13.0
Strength: 13.0
Agility: 13.0
Mana: 0/? (0)
Mana Circuit: Knight
Mana Trait: ?
● Status
Mana Stone Disease: A condition where mana solidifies like stone due to high mana concentration. Currently, Rai's mana is completely solidified due to Mana Stone Disease.
● Special
None.
A screen like a notepad listed information about this body. It seems that I can change the settings according to my wishes here.
"So this guy's name is Rai."
To my knowledge, there was no main character with that name. In other words, Rai is an extra, as I suspected.
"But with stamina, strength, and agility all at 13, it's pretty good for an extra."
There are no status screens in 《Continent of Therame》, so there's no proper comparison. But if these values are the same as the 'Magical Engineering Measurement Machine' that exists here, it's decent. The average ability of Erestia Royal University's freshmen is 10.
"But because of Mana Stone Disease, mana is 0."
Mana Stone Disease is a concept that appears several times in the story, so I'm familiar with it. It's quite a troublesome disease, but I have ways to treat it. And if my guess is correct, this will actually be advantageous to me.
"Mana Circuit and Mana Trait aren't something to worry about right now, and what's Special?"
In short, is it my ability or something? This wasn't a setting in the original, so I'm not sure.
"Well, I can just test it directly."
After a moment of thought, I entered a sentence under 'Special.' Having written countless fanfics of web novels, I quickly came up with a setting that would satisfy me.
● Special
Sole Complete Reader: 'Rai' fully remembers the content of 《Continent of Therame》.
I'm not a genius, just an ordinary reader, so I don't remember all the stories of 《Continent of Therame》. So I needed to recall it even by borrowing the power of this ability. If I only know the main plot, I won't be able to deal with the various variables that arise as I intervene.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' requires a total of 971 'EP' to change settings.]
[Do you want to save the settings for 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'? Yes/No]
When I pressed the save button, small windows popped up. Fortunately, it was an amount of points I could change with the points I had.
"But 1,000 doesn't seem like a small amount of points...."
It's a necessary setting, but I can't use it recklessly without knowing the value of EP yet. And if I input it well, I might be able to reduce the amount of EP. It did say that the amount of EP required is determined by the degree of plausibility.
"Wait, maybe...?"
Something occurred to me, and I entered the sentence again.
● Special
Sole Complete Reader: 'Kang Jun-ho' fully remembers the content of 《Continent of Therame》.
I, Kang Jun-ho, am currently Rai. It's even labeled as 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' here. So I should be able to apply the ability not only to Rai but also to myself.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)' requires a total of 51 'EP' to change settings.]
[Do you want to save the settings for 'Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'? Yes/No]
As expected, the required EP significantly decreased. Rai has never read the novel 《Continent of Therame》, while I, Kang Jun-ho, have completed it, so the plausibility is supplemented accordingly.
"I think I know how to use this."
Without hesitation, I pressed 'Yes.' Investing 51 was definitely worth it.
['Rai (Kang Jun-ho)'s changed settings are saved in the 'Setting Album.']
As a blue light spread over my body, the contents of 《Continent of Therame》 flooded into my mind. Countless letters wriggled, and various scenes flowed in like a film.
"Huh, I really remember it vividly."
It's not just the content. Even the emotions of the characters contained in all the descriptions are alive like blood vessels. With this, as long as I have EP, I can add various Specialties, or abilities. Now I have 949 EP left. If I use these well, I can survive even as an extra in this body. No, beyond that, I can change the unsatisfying developments of the original to my liking. Just like the fanfics I've been writing.
