The Impact of the Author's Intervention on a Blank Page - Chapter 18
He couldn’t leave things as they were. After exploring various options, Ja-hyun bestowed upon his brother a god-tier mental stabilization trait called “Dream Catcher.” Fortunately, it worked – his brother’s unusual behaviors noticeably decreased afterward.
But it wasn’t all positive, nor was everything resolved. If it had been, he wouldn’t have come here after making a contract for modification points.
Though the problem diminished afterward, his brother became somehow different. Put kindly, he became lighter; put harshly, he gave off an impression of floating somewhere distant. He became even more difficult to read.
It was hard to have an open conversation with his brother in such a state. Ja-hyun pretended everything was fine while embracing his brother, hiding the fact that there was a problem even from his brother himself.
***
Dawn light streaked in, tickling his eyes. His body ached. He realized anew that waking up wasn’t always pleasant – it could be distinctly unpleasant.
Perhaps sensing his consciousness awakening, a system window flickered irritatingly before his eyes.
[‘Special Contract with Operator-###’ in progress]
▷ Special Quest (Administrator Only)
[Orbital Correction of Incomplete World EN-967221]
[Difficulty: Hard]
▷ Sub-Quest
[Find ‘Planche Enestia’ and ‘Lucas Blade’]
[Time Remaining: 27 days 5 hours 31 minutes]
Due to the difficulty being set to Hard as initially seen, time limits and penalties were added to the quest. This applied not just to the main contract-bound quest, but to the sub-quests as well.
[Upon Failure: One trait of the Apostle ‘Kwon Kyung-woo’ will be sealed.]
‘Look at that penalty.’
This system clearly knew exactly how to manipulate him. Instead of targeting him directly, it set his brother as the penalty target. Threatening to mess with his already confused brother. Though it probably didn’t have a personality, it had automatically selected the most effective option.
Speaking of his brother’s traits, what did that mean?
As he pondered this, a system window flashed before his eyes.
[‘Character Profile’ has been activated.]
It seemed he could use the profile viewing function even for people who weren’t present, as long as he had encountered them before.
‘At least it’s fortunate to have traits like these.’
[Ludwig el Izatrix (Kwon Kyung-woo)]
[Age: 31]
[The master of the Grand Duchy of Izatrix. Regarded as a figure possessing the strongest military power on the continent and among the most notable wealth.]
[Relationship: Extremely Favorable, Affection, ??? ….]
[Possessed Traits]
[1. Character Profile Viewing]
[2. Dignity]
[Information Beyond Boundaries]
‘The only Apostle of the deity ‘Divinity Falling from Heaven’.
Ja-hyun counted the traits his brother Kyung-woo possessed.
‘[Character Profile Viewing] [Dignity]…. I wonder if [Dream Catcher] is included, since I was the one who gave it to him?’
The first two traits wouldn’t cause major problems if they disappeared, but if the last one got sealed, that would be disastrous.
[Time Remaining: 27 days 5 hours 30 minutes]
‘I get it already.’
No need to be so pushy – he was going to handle everything anyway.
If he wasn’t going to give up and go back, he had to do something. It was too early to quit.
Ja-hyun struggled to ignore the unfamiliar pain as he opened his eyes groggily. His fingertips brushed against soft, fluffy blankets. The air was slightly dry but warm.
Should he be grateful they at least gave him a role where he could enjoy such civilized comforts?
The unexplainable chest pain and dizziness ebbed and flowed like the tides. Going back to sleep seemed wrong. Perhaps he should take more medicine before trying to sleep again.
After pressing his chest and forehead firmly, he looked around. The dimly lit room, with its lights still off, seemed even larger now with fewer people. Including himself, only two people were in the room. He could see a maid sleeping on the sofa beside the bed.
Given his condition, it seemed they were keeping someone on night duty. Earlier it had been a male servant, but now it had changed – they must be taking turns. He felt awkward and humanly apologetic about it. His brother would pay them well, right?
Looking around, his brother was still nowhere to be seen. Well, having suddenly become a Grand Duke, he must be busy.
