Law of Tragedy

The situation was relatively settled. The others were concerned about me when they noticed what happened but I repeated the same story, they believed me except for Feng but I told her I would explain it later. Anyway the man reunited with his girlfriend so the protagonist team didn't get suspicious. While I noticed that the other players began to be active in searching for clues but I repeated the same story to any of them that asked. I went outside for scavenging like nothing happened for a few days waiting for them to take the bait when suddenly the police officer asked me to follow him to the store to talk. I don't doubt the credibility of a protagonist and the others started to take more care of me after what happened so we became relatively close.

"I hope this isn't about what happened" Zhi Hua said once they reached the storeroom that was empty

"Who are you" the police officer asked eyeing him

"I am Ji Hwa" Zhi Hua said confidently in response

"No who are you" he said emphasizing on the you. Zhi Hua paused and realized that something was wrong, there was no one here even though it was after work closes so at least there should be one or two people. He looked at the police officer warily.

"I told you. I am Ji Hwa" Zhi Hua was confident the person infront of him had no possible way of identifying his real identity that he himself has no idea about.

"It's okay if you don't want to reveal your identity anyway but you have to compensate me"

"I don't understand what I did that compensation is needed for" Zhi Hua asked confused.

"You destroyed a quite critical point in the storyline which delayed it quite a bit". Zhi Hua looked at him in alarm, the only people who know the word main storyline are players but the police officer can't be a player so who is this

"Who are you" Zhi Hua asked

"My title isn't something for you to hear but you can refer to me as the creator of the main storyline" he replied. Zhi Hua was surprised once again, it has to be said that this was the first time in a novel that he could so easily meet the creator of the storyline. It was just a setback but he came running over well isn't that suspicious.

"How do you know I'm not a player" Zhi Hua asked

"First of all you don't have the mark of the author on you. Second of all, it's only the outer gods and us the creators that call them players" he replied smiling. Zhi Hua pursed his lips, he had no clue what the mark of the author meant but for some reason he was disgusted by it and he was used to calling them players after reading so many novels.

"You could easily create a new scenario for the main storyline so there's no need to contact me"

"It's not possible because once it is written then it is set. How else do you think it would be fair to the players". Zhi Hua thought about it and realized he was right. The players have no information about the world they are in including the characters so in return to compensate the main storyline is inflexible.

"I'm sure you would have expected it to happen sooner or later" Zhi Hua said

"Yes but at the hands of a player. The author is beginning to wonder so compensate me for covering for you". Zhi Hua frowned at this.

"I'm guessing you want the inhabitants to win the game" Zhi Hua asked

"That's right, I want my characters to win for once"

"Sorry but I already made a deal with a player"

"But that isn't my problem to figure out now is it". Zhi Hua snorted at him as he said this.

"What gives you the confidence that I would be able to do something that hasn't been done in a while according to you" Zhi Hua asked raising an eyebrow.

"You seem to know more and your familiarity is like those people from the modern era"

"What's a modern era" Zhi Hua asked feeling like it was familiar

"It's not something you should know about at your level. Tell you what, to prove my faith, I promise to help you resist the author until you leave the book and ensure your safe travels out". Zhi Hua wanted to ask him to tell him about the modern era but he eventually gave up.

"Make that for two and you got yourself a deal" Zhi Hua said.

"Great, I'll tweak it a bit so be prepared tomorrow and know that if anything goes wrong well we're both in trouble" he replied chuckling.

After they left the store, the police officer returned to normal confused about what happened but Zhi Hua had already slipped away to his room. He thought about the creator and realized that the name 'author' was only applied to one being while creators were different beings who were in constant loss against the players. He put that out of his mind for now and formulated a plan to satisfy both.

"Brother Ji, you're back" Min said as she entered the house. Zhi Hua stared at her and

thought about what she needed to do for tomorrow. At this point she relies heavily on him as he wanted her to by isolating her from others but she is a coward and what he needs her to do tomorrow is very dangerous

"Sister Min, can we talk" he said solemnly

"Ah, sure" she said nervous and sat down beside him on the couch. Zhi Hua grabbed her hands in his and looked her in the eye

"Min, I might not be able to make it out tomorrow so I just wanted to say this before it's too late..."

"Brother Ji don't say that. We'll go home together" she said holding his hand tightly.

"Min, I like you. I wanted to confess when we were back home in school together but I was shy. But considering how dangerous tomorrow might be,I had to say it" Zhi Hua said emphasizing the dangerous

"Brother, maybe you shouldn't go. It's not worth risking your life" Min said

"I have to go,if only it's to make sure you win. But you have to promise me to take care of my sister"

"Brother Ji, I.."

"Promise me" Zhi Hua interrupted leaning in holding out his pinky to her face and she gave in then was too emotional and ran away. Zhi Hua relaxed his tense muscles embarrassed because of the cringe worthy words he just said, he was happy that no one was around until he heard someone laughing. He turned around to see Feng's shoulders shaking as she doubled over laughing, this was the first time Zhi Hua saw her laughing so happily but he couldn't be grateful for it because it was from that embarrassing situation.

"It's good that you're hear, let's talk" Zhi Hua said with a straight face pretending like nothing happened.

"Alright brother Ji" she said sitting beside him still smiling

"Do you know how to shoot" he asked her seriously

"I learnt from watching the soldiers and how to fight from the police officer" she replied proudly. Zhi Hua patted the little girls head snorting at his imagination of how this taciturn girl asked the police officer how to fight.

"Tomorrow there's going to be a bit noisy. I'm going to go to a dangerous place that I'm not sure I would escape unscathed but you have to stay and protect Min until you see me"

"Can't I just follow you or do it myself" she said frowning

"I thought you always listen to your big brother" Zhi Hua was planning to test her loyalty. After all true loyalty is knowing when to obey and when to disobey.

"That's because brother is weak right now" she said pouting

"Trust your brother. I'm more resilient than you think" he said patting her head

"Alright, I will but I can't wait for long" she said

"Tsk, my sister is very needy" he said pinching her cheek while she pinched his sides until he left go. Zhi Hua might not yet see her as family or a friend yet but staying together has made them familiar like an accomplice.