The Impact of the Author’s Intervention on a Blank Page - Chapter 61

He tried to rise, but found himself inexplicably immobile, as if caught on something. Belatedly, he lowered his gaze to examine his body.

Only then did he notice the heavy iron chains thoroughly binding his form. The chains, wrapping from his wrists up through his torso, split into four paths that were deeply embedded into the stone floor. It looked like the setup for restraining some kind of monster.

“Oh, this is rather different.”

He twisted his body trying to break free, but to no avail. The surrounding waters churned and swirled, creating eddies of turbulence.

Whatever this was, someone had peculiar tastes. The vast, flat stone floor was inscribed with dense text within large circular patterns. Even at a glance, they appeared to be magic circles or ritual markings. Though the text was difficult to make out, it seemed to be in an ancient divine language.

Why am I having such a bizarre dream? Did thinking about becoming a Swordmaster for days while cursing this trash body cause this? Maybe being weighed down in reality leads to being weighed down in dreams.

“Cr… crack…-”

Ah, my head hurts.

Ja-hyun gave up trying to escape the situation and slumped down. Though it was a bit suffocating and painful, it was just a dream after all. Absently examining his body, he noticed cracks spreading across its surface. It was a mess, as if glass was shattering. Moreover, the size was wrong – his body had become strangely small.

Looking at it seemed to make it hurt more. Already feeling terrible, being in this state made him want to go home. He longed for the comfort of his own world, to be at home bantering and eating good food with his brother.

Ja-hyun lifted his head and spoke to the child who had been standing before him.

“Can you undo this?”

The administrator, taking the form of his brother from childhood, shook his head without verbal response.

“…I see. Nothing to be done then.”

As Ja-hyun dropped his head, he heard footsteps. Soon he felt someone embracing his body.

[It will be alright soon… Just endure a little longer.]

Hearing those words, a weak smile formed on Ja-hyun’s lips. He buried his head in his brother’s chest, unable to move his arms. No wonder something felt off – his body had shrunk to that of a child.

What a strange dream indeed. Ja-hyun closed his eyes and began to reason about this situation.

‘This is…’

As expected… that’s what it is.

Most likely…

It must be from loneliness.

…Or not? He wasn’t sure. Ja-hyun kept his eyes closed. His brother said it would be fine, so it probably would be.
***

[Character ‘Ezekiel B. Viestra’s’ development has been modified.]

[▷ Reward will be issued.]

[▷ Reward: 500 points]

While his eyes were closed, he heard a familiar notification sound.

[Temporary supporting character ‘Raijin El Izatrix’s’ existence maintenance modification points have been fulfilled.]

[Stage 1 of the maladaptation phenomenon due to insufficient modification points has ended.]

[Current modification points: 4280+300 points]

“Ugh…”

This is truly killing me…. It felt like being pulled up just before drowning, after being submerged in water. Even with his eyes closed, everything was spinning.

He had been bedridden for a week now. A week since the Prince’s departure.

He remembered grabbing anyone nearby whenever he regained consciousness, asking what day it was. He had been secretly terrified that the ditzy Prince wouldn’t handle things properly.

Though it felt like the weights on his body were gradually falling away, his condition wouldn’t improve instantly after being sick for so long.

That improvement only came because the penalty from insufficient modification points had ended – who knows how much longer he would have suffered otherwise. It meant the Prince had taken a week to resolve Litrel’s impurities using that information.

And it meant he hadn’t been able to do anything during that time.

This is maddening. Since entering this body, it seemed he spent more time sleeping from pain or in a half-conscious state than being properly awake. Time passed alarmingly fast because of it. Days would slip by without accomplishing anything.

He had predicted this would happen from the moment he endured the penalty’s effects in front of the prince. But it was the best option available. Even if his brother would become furious again and threaten to never let him leave his room, he felt there was no other choice.

‘Though I had thought it through that far…’

That’s why Ja-hyun had been carefully watching his brother’s reactions since gradually regaining consciousness. Once his fever slightly subsided, he tried his best to appear fine, making an effort not to make sounds of pain.