Chapter 5: If You’re Reading This...
"Sorry, sis... but I’m going out for a bit," I whisper softly, careful not to wake my dear Lia. There’s a tingle in my chest. Excitement is at an all-time high. Maybe I’m overreacting?
Nah...
She’s sleeping tightly—lucky for me, she’s a heavy sleeper. I take another step toward the door, then stop. I glance back at her... and end up stealing a few more looks than I meant to.
She’s just so cute... Eh? What am I thinking...? Time to go!
I slap my face a couple of times to beat the devil out of me, like my father used to say. The night is dead silent, the moon shining down so brightly it almost feels unreal.
For a moment, I just stare. Guess I never paid much attention to how beautiful life really is.
[It’s midnight. Your collections have reached 4]
[Your second day starts now]
[You have two days left to reach 10 collections and complete the quest]
[You have received a new comment on Chapter 1 from reader UelUel:]
[Added this book to my collection 😁]
There it comes again. The system window.
It’s amazing how it gives me no warning and just pops up whenever it damn well pleases...
Still, looking at the bright side, I actually feel kind of happy. There are people out there reading. People commenting.
"Thank you so much for adding the book to your collection, UelUel," I say aloud, clapping my hands together and looking up at the sky.
"I don’t know if you’re some kind of god, or just a simple reader... but I really, really appreciate it!"
But also... it makes me wonder.
What’s beyond that sky?
Are they watching me from above? Or are they just living normal lives like I did, flipping through pages without realizing the characters are real?
I have so many questions I wish I could ask...
Wait... let me try this.
I think of a crazy idea... If the system is writing everything I do and think, then that means... I can talk to the ones reading this story.
Yooo! That’s a wild thought!
At least... in my mind. Ahem.
I glance at the small system screen floating beside me. It’s always there, quietly logging my every move like some cosmic notetaker.
So let me ask you, the one reading this right now...
How’s life on the other side?
Do you also work the fields, day and night? Do you have magical beasts? I imagine gods like you must ride dragons as mounts, right?
Oh, I’m so excited... Sorry!
But if any of you can hear me... I’d really love to talk. Even just once.
Time passes quickly when you’re having fun, and before I know it, I’m already standing in front of the small hut, hidden at the edge of the corn fields.
The night is quiet. A little eerie. But also... strangely welcoming.
I knock on the door a few times. No answer.
Figures... Everyone must be asleep.
"Powder! It’s me, Quill! Are you home?" I call out a bit louder.
I know it’s rude to wake someone up at this hour, but come on... curiosity’s burning a little too hot inside my chest right now.
Finally, some rustling and movement can be heard from inside.
A metallic clang follows—a loud crash that echoes through the entire hut.
Did he... knock over the pots?
Pfft!
I try to hold back my laughter, but it’s hard. Powder’s always been clumsy when he tries to be quiet, but this? This is next level.
"Powder! What are you doing causing all this ruckus at night?! Go back to bed! Right now!"
A middle-aged woman’s voice booms from inside the hut, and that’s it. I burst out laughing.
"Mom! It’s not me, I swear! It’s Quill’s fault! He’s the one shouting at the door!"
"Don’t you dare blame your friends for your own mistakes! How many times have I told you that?! Now go check what he needs. And keep it quiet!"
My stomach hurts. I can’t stop laughing. A tear builds up at the edge of my eye, but I do my best to wipe it away and keep a steady, serious face.
Especially now, because I hear the door slowly creak open.
I see a head of black hair poke out from the cracked door, parted neatly down the middle and just long enough to brush his neck. Powder doesn’t even glance at me yet—he’s too busy glancing over his shoulder, clearly trying to calculate whether his mom’s going to beat him or not. Haha... classic.
But then he finally turns and sees me.
His face drains of color, eyes going wide like he’s just seen a ghost.
"AHHH! Quill’s ghost! BEGONE! LET MY BUDDY’S SOUL REST IN PEACE!"
A THWACK! follows immediately as a sandal flies from behind and smacks the back of his head. The poor guy drops like a sack of potatoes—definitely his mom’s doing.
"Take that idiot with you, Quill! And don’t come banging on my door at night again!" her voice echoes from inside.
"...Yes, ma’am. Sorry for the trouble!" I say quickly, bowing even though she can’t see me.
I crouch down and pull Powder into my arms. He’s completely out cold, thanks to one wooden sandal and a healthy dose of motherly fury.
"...How the hell did this happen?" I mutter, shifting his deadweight over my shoulder and closing the door behind us.
I lay him down nearby, propping his back gently against the bark of a tree.
"Sorry, Powder... but you’re going to be my test subject tonight," I whisper with a guilty grin. "I know you can’t hear me right now, but remember how you once promised you’d lay your life on the line for me if I ever needed it?"
I glance at him.
"Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but... I’ll be testing out my new powers on you."
I’ve never seen him knocked out before...
That sandal must’ve been forged from iron or something. A huge lump is already forming on the back of his head; it’s definitely going to be there for days. Poor guy.
"Alright... Big Boss, are you there?" I murmur under my breath, making sure to keep my voice low, just in case Powder suddenly regains consciousness. I don’t want him overhearing me talk to the system. Or worse... finding out what he really is.
I don’t think most people could take that kind of truth as easily as I did. I scratch the back of my head, part nervous, part embarrassed.
Suddenly, without warning, two glowing letters materialize in midair.
Just two.
"...Huh."
What the hell does that stand for?