Shadow Author

Chapter 21 1. The Start

?As an ungodly amount of SP appeared on the screen a deep foreboding sensation filled my body.

Although true that to grow stronger I had to change the way the novel played out I didn't plan on taking it this far.

This was supposed to be the beginning, the start, the world-building, and the character development stage of the novel.

There was no reason to make many big changes in fact doing so would only hurt me.

But now that plan was thrown out the window, completely shattered to remain as a dream.

Instead of flowing with the novel and taking advantage of future events with the knowledge of being the author, I now doomed myself.

To quote the notification I irreversibly altered the novel not to mention the countless changes that will affect the characters.

Now all the future events I had memorized down to a tee were clouded in uncertainty. Although I had no way of knowing what exactly I changed it had to be something big that I got ten thousand SP.

I wanted to cry knowing that all my plans might become useless but I held it together.

Sure I might not know everything anymore and the characters might act a little differently but I managed to gain enough SP to set myself straight.

The dangers hidden in the shadows will become more uncertain but I should have enough strength to survive… I hope.

"Shit."

Cursing under my breath my goals and plans had to be readjusted so I began with the obvious. Getting out of the current situation.

Looking over at the still-weeping Charlotte I couldn't help but become annoyed that so much had changed over such a silly accident.

'Why didn't she have to be walking behind me, at that time, in that specific spot? Why did I have to push myself to complete the kilometer when I could have finished slightly later?'

Feeling that the world was cursing me or that some destined path was being forced upon me I let out a deep sigh.

"What are you sighing about? You ruined everything!"

Hearing the shaky voice I looked over at Charlotte who still had trails of tears flowing down her face.

Although puffy I could see the anger in her swollen red eyes.

'I guess it's time to make the decision.'

Looking at the golden hair colored girl I didn't respond immediately.

'My path, which direction should I follow? Be the hero by using the knowledge at my disposal to save everyone I can. Or a villain through the same means, however, gathering a higher amount of SP?'

Two choices were laid in front of me but neither of them was tempting. Being a hero didn't exactly fit my nature and it seemed more exhausting. Plus Elijah was already set on this path.

Yet the path of the villain was tempting but much more dangerous. If I were to slaughter every student in the academy the amount of SP I would gain would rival a hundred thousand if not more.

However, that would change everything about the novel with all the main characters dead and leave me all alone to deal with the monsters.

I didn't know if the SP I would gain would be enough to guarantee my survival or not so I decided to discard this path.

This left me without a decision yet I had to pick something because my next words to Charlotte would pave the path for the rest of the novel.

More time passed as thoughts flew through my head rapidly.

Just as Charlotte was getting uncomfortable with my gaze and was about to speak up I answered her.

Selfish… was the path I would be taking. Neither good nor bad, full of justice or cruelty. I would instead be doing everything in my best interest. If that makes it worse or better for others it wouldn't matter to me.

This world and the people within it are my creation therefore I will live out my life the way I want it.

"I ruined everything? No, no, it's you who ruined everything! Absolutely everything is coming crashing down all because of what? Your dignity wouldn't allow you to shut your mouth and get off of me? Instead, you were yelling, attracting everyone over to us, and rather than turning to the left as I told you to do, you made it worse!"

Letting out all of all my emotions I practically cursed out the tearful girl.

The wet trails flowing down her face quickly cleared up as she became even redder in the face.

"You're the idiot who doesn't even know how to run on a treadmill. If you didn't crash into me we wouldn't be in this mess so it's all your fault!"

"Yeah, well why were you walking behind me there are so many other paths you could have taken to leave."

"I would have if I'd known you'd come flying out of nowhere!"

I was definitely losing the argument.

"It's still your fault!"

She scoffed.

"Okay say it's my fault why did you have to disgrace me like that in front of everyone?"

This time her anger changed back into sadness as more tears threatened to fall.

"You wouldn't get off me! Plus I already apologized for that."

"An apology doesn't make up for touching me without my consent and showing my body to others!"

"It was an accident!"

Yep definitely losing.

"Everyone is going to think I am a slut! Plus Elijah has probably already heard about it. He's going to be thinking that I was trying to cheat on him. You ruined everything! I should just kill you now, I have nothing else left to lose."

The air around her condensed and the hairs on my body stood up straight.

"Wait! Not everything is ruined."

Unfortunately, my voice seemed to fall on deaf ears as Charlotte already stood up and began circulating mana through her body.

Knowing I didn't have much time left I finalized my future and revealed my knowledge.

"I know Elijah's weakness!"

"Huh?"

Thankfully the pressure Charlotte was releasing dropped and my life was no longer on the line.

"Elijah's weakness, I know it. I also know that you need it.

"What—"

"I know who you are, daughter of the King of Shadows."

"You—"

"You're faking being Elijah's boyfriend so that you can get closer to him and report back to your father."

"I—"

"I can tell you his weakness, getting rid of all the steps in between. I know you secretly hate Elijah and can't stand him. I know that you have to complete your mission because this is the last chance your father gave you after your last mistake."

"…"

"I know. I know everything so for you everything is not ruined but for me it's…

'Just the start.'

…the end."

[A great change in the novel has taken effect.]

[+1000 SP]