CHAPTER 32: THE DAY I BECAME THE READERS’ SHIELD

Something feels warm...

A soft pulse of energy flows through my veins, mending me from the inside.

It’s so dark... I can’t seem to open my eyes. What happened to me? What is this energy? Hello?

"Finally awake?" A familiar voice reaches my ears—or maybe it’s only in my head. I’m not sure.

Big Boss... are you the one healing me? That power is still working its way through me, my strength rising—but too slowly. Far too slowly.

"No, it’s someone else. Someone you’ve never met before,"it answers with a chuckle.

What’s so funny?

"You’ve truly outshone yourself, Quill—enough to beat the protagonist. Right now, the both of you need a good rest and some time to think about how the story will move forward, because it seems you’ve messed up big time this round. But maybe it’s for the best. Glorius was meant to be humbled later in the story, to lose his overconfidence. Now... he’ll grow stronger. Good job."

I take a moment to let it all sink in, my memory slowly piecing itself back together. A swell of pride rises in my chest, but it’s weighed down by a dread so heavy it feels like it could drag me to the bottom of a lake.

I see... Seriously, is that all I can say right now? But the words slip out on their own. I can’t think of anything else to say in this situation.

"Don’t worry about it too much. At least the book won’t end here, so you’re safe."

Those words lift a boulder off my chest.

"But you should know there are some problems you need to address. While you were unconscious, the seventh day has come in the outside world. Do you understand what that means?"

I search my mind, trying to think of anything that could be a problem. Seven days... huh. Time really does pass differently for me than for them.

Then it hits me. Oh! The reader quest, right? So... what’s the problem? I got some weird ability or something?

I try to joke, but there’s a weight in the air that makes it feel heavier than that.

"I don’t know how to tell you this, Quill... but... the readers haven’t left a single comment. You will not receive any powers at all."

Huh?

That has to be a joke, right? There’s no way nobody came up with anything good for me to use.

"I’m here to announce to you that the reader quest to come up with powers for you has failed, and the punishment will be no Chapters for a whole week."

I sit with my thoughts for a moment. On one hand, I’m a little sad. I expected something... yet maybe it was a bad idea after all. The system had placed the readers in a position it shouldn’t have. But still... it was awesome. What a pity.

Big Boss,

"Yes?"

Let me take the punishment for them. I don’t feel like it’s their fault, and cutting them off from Chapters for a week is too harsh. I’d rather sacrifice myself instead. Can we do that? Please?

Silence. Big Boss doesn’t reply for a long time. I can’t even tell how much time passes...

"Fine. But are you sure about it?" The voice finally returns, and with it, a flicker of hope.

One hundred percent! I’ll take any punishment you give me.

"Admirable... yet so stupid."

Excuse me?

"You’re excused. Now..." Big Boss sounds annoyed. "After you’re healed and recovered, your punishment quest will begin. You will have one day to complete it. Further information will be given to you after you recover. Just... don’t perish, alright?"

A shiver runs through me, even though I can’t feel anything else. What does that mean? How difficult is this punishment quest?!

"You have received a new comment from a new reader, Spicy_Lasagna: Looking forward to being your number one hater."

Suddenly, a system voice cuts into my ears. Really? Even when I’m unconscious, you’re still reading comments to me?

Wait... hater?! What did I do? I almost feel tears welling up. But... doesn’t that mean my book is great? Every book needs someone who loves it and someone who hates it. Hmmm... sounds like a challenge. How about I convert you into a true fan with my book? If I can’t, I’ll eat my own shoe. I’m not kidding.

Hahaha... feels good to get comments. That reminds me—once I’m better, I should answer each one directly. I could even use the deceased author’s account to do it. Should be fun. I bet my comment count is at least over a hundred by now... if not two or three hundred. Does that make me a popular author?

Hey, readers, how popular is my book right now? Am I a bestseller yet? Let me know—and spread the word. Let’s start a new religion: Quill’s Followers! No?

...

At least that helped take the edge off the dread I feel about the punishment.

Ah! So bright! My eyes twitch, and I finally manage to open them, only to see flowing golden hair spilling across my face.

Peh! Pew! It’s in my mouth! What the hell is going on!?

"Haaa!" A sharp rush of cold air fills my lungs as I sit up, only for a sudden pain to shoot through my forehead when I slam it into something solid.

"Quill!"

"My Quill!"

Powder’s and Roxy’s voices reach my ears as I rub my forehead, feeling a bump swelling. In front of me, a girl about my age is also rubbing her head. She’s sprawled on top of me—right on my crotch. She’s beautiful, her eyes watery from the hit, but completely white. So—mysterious... Her hands rest on my chest, glowing crimson, and I feel my body slowly knitting itself back together.

Wait. Why is she sitting like this?!

"What are you—?"

"Quill, relax. She saved your life, and you greeted her with a headbutt. You dare call yourself a man?" Powder’s smug tone draws my eyes to him. This cheeky bastard... I might have misjudged him. He’s not innocent at all.

"I-I... I’m sorry. If this makes you uncomfortable, I-I can stop the procedure..." Her voice is soft and gentle—cute, even. Now that I look closer, her face seems completely recovered from the headbutt.

"It’s... fine. Just... why are you sitting there?" I’m not sure what to say. Should I apologize first? There’s more than one problem here, and where she’s sitting is... well... one of them. A rising problem.

"It’s absolutely necessary!" she declares, pressing her body against me. Her hands sink deeper into my chest, forcing a sharp breath out of me. "This is my healing technique! If you don’t let me finish, you’ll die from hidden injuries!"

"That... is... fine... I’ll die from not breathing... haaa..." I feel myself on the edge of passing out, but that strange warm energy keeps me conscious.

"Leave this to me and relax!" Her golden hair spills over my face again. What kind of treatment is this!?

"I’m Anna, the traveling priest. I will either heal you or kill you today, but I’m not giving up on your life!"

Great... it seems I’m dying today.