Chapter 243: Plot

Works…?

Novels…?

I suddenly had a brilliant idea—writing a novel!

Back in the day, I casually made up a story that caused such a stir, which proves I have talent!

So I started slowly researching and brainstorming many ideas.

I had high hopes for my work because it could not only showcase my talent but also serve as proof that I once existed in this world—it was my legacy.

At first, I envisioned an incredibly vast world-building project. I planned to write an isekai novel where the protagonist continuously travels through history to complete missions.

But I was wrong—it was beyond my capabilities.

I only had a day and a half, yet this book would require at least a million words to finish.

Could an average person, without eating, drinking, or sleeping, type a million words in a day and a half?

I tried many times, but no matter what, I couldn’t reach the ending.

The closest I got was when I drastically condensed the story, leaving only the final chapter to complete it. But then, inexplicably, I decided to proofread it one last time before the earthquake struck—and that very decision cost me my chance to finish.

A day and a half was just too short.

I no longer had the courage to start over.

My typing speed was only around 4,000 words per hour—how on earth could I finish a novel in a single day?

So I came up with a second idea. I created a character named “Chu Qi,” who wielded a “Seven Black Sword” and punished villains in the martial world.

This novel was only projected to be 200,000 words long. If I pushed myself, I was confident I could finish it within a day and a half.

But then, a turning point came in my life.

How many cycles had it taken before I finally met that person?

I counted—roughly 260 cycles.

That day, I completed the entire “Seven Black Sword” and was in an excellent mood.

This was the seventh time I’d finished “Seven Black Sword” in a single day.

I seemed to be getting more and more familiar with the novel’s plot, and the work was becoming second nature.

Holding a can of beer, I waited at home as usual for the earthquake to arrive.

Feeling good, I planned to immediately start bickering with Chen Junnan once I woke up in the room.

When I opened my eyes inside the room, everyone around me looked stunned. I knew they were frozen, so I didn’t pay them any mind.

But seconds later, I was equally shocked.

There was an extra person in the room!!

What the hell?!

For 260 cycles in a row, I’d woken up in a room with eight people. So why were there nine this time?!

After just two minutes, I calmed down.

The extra person was a young guy, decent-looking. Based on my experience, good-looking people usually weren’t that bright—like Chen Junnan.

I took the chance to glance at Chen Junnan, and what I saw gave me a real scare.

Tears streamed down his face as he smiled, his expression twisted with some unreadable emotion. His eyes were locked onto the newcomer.

He looked like he had something to say but couldn’t get the words out, ultimately settling on a completely distorted grin.

What was going on?

Did they know each other?

I’d never seen Chen Junnan make that face before—he looked insane!

“Still… if he’s crazy, that’s fine by me,” I thought to myself. Maybe now he’d actually follow my lead when voting.

Once everyone had finished telling their stories, before I could even steer the votes, the newcomer suddenly grabbed a pen and paper and started calculating.

What the… What was he figuring out?

Moments later, he announced his deduction.

And it blew my mind.

Oxygen? Oxygen levels?!

Holy crap… So the grid on the wall was for calculating area?!

And the clock in the center was for tracking time?!

I—I take it back. This guy wasn’t an idiot.

He introduced himself as Qi Xia.

He was sharp—too sharp to be here just to cause trouble.

He was like a character straight out of my novel—a “savior”!!

That’s right! Why hadn’t I realized it sooner? He was here specifically to save me!!

But then came something I never saw coming. Even if we all voted for “Human Sheep,” the game wouldn’t end.

This damned place had a second round—

“Bamboo Shoots After the Rain”!

I’d never seen anything like it… I was terrified!

Even with the “savior” by my side, I couldn’t suppress my fear.

A harpoon shot straight through my throat, killing me instantly!

Dammit!

Dammit!!

What kind of rotten luck was this?!

But at least I had hope now.

Turns out, “writing a novel” really was the right move. I was gradually able to explain my situation through the lens of fiction.

This was “infinite rebirth”! Because I was the protagonist, I had to endure setbacks early on—Chen Junnan was one of them.

He’d weaken the protagonist’s strength or constantly throw obstacles in their path. This was all part of the buildup, a classic narrative technique to make the eventual triumph all the sweeter.

After facing enough adversity, my “savior” would appear—Qi Xia.

If I just followed him, he’d guide me through missions, and I’d slowly find a way out—maybe even become invincible.

This was exactly like a novel.

I was actually looking forward to the next earthquake!!

Haha! Savior!! I’m coming for you!!

But when I opened my eyes in the room again, I was thrown off once more.

There were now ten people inside…

I was completely lost. What did this mean?

Why was there another woman?

What kind of place did they think this was? Could anyone just waltz in whenever they pleased?

This wasn’t in the novel’s script!

What shocked me even more was that Chen Junnan got killed by the Sheep-Head within a minute of waking up!

I was torn between joy and dread… Sure, Chen Junnan’s death meant no more interference, but why was he killed?

Would I be next?

But… whatever.

Qi Xia was still as sharp as ever. Whatever choice he made in the next game, I’d trust him unconditionally.

Not only had I read novels—I’d written them. Did they think I didn’t understand how this worked?

The protagonist must never be stupid. Stick close to the capable mentor, and the best ending will follow.

But harpoons were terrifying. Since I’d been impaled through the throat before, this time I started trembling uncontrollably in advance. Even with the “savior” nearby, I couldn’t stop.

I kept chanting in my head, “Don’t hit me,” but sure enough, I was struck again.

This time, though, I didn’t die—just took a harpoon through the shoulder.

I understood… This was the protagonist’s inevitable trial.

Sure, I was injured, but a miraculous encounter was coming my way… If the protagonist gets hurt, a beautiful doctor usually appears with some miracle cure. One pill, and I’d be…

Dammit, I can’t even keep up the act. My shoulder hurts like hell.

Novel protagonists never scream in pain, but that’s just unrealistic… Next time, I’ll tweak the plot.

If it hurts, they should scream—make them a flesh-and-blood hero.

I have to give credit to Qi Xia—he really was something. Without him, I’d never have known this room had four games.

Sheep, dogs, snakes…

Even if the whole zoo showed up, I wouldn’t be scared. Not when I had the “savior” with me. What could they possibly do to me?

He came specifically to save me, cutting through every obstacle in our way.

Clearly, this was the arc where I rose to godhood.