The Counterattack Begins!
"I've petted you plenty, so now spill the beans. Tell me what Narrative Reestablishment really does."
Si-hyun lowered his right hand from stroking the Notification Window and sat down on the void's floor, ready to listen.
『Narrative Reestablishment. It's exactly what it sounds like—'the power to rewrite stories.'』
"Rewrite stories?"
『Everything in the world is made of stories. From the moment a person is born until they die, their entire life becomes a tale that leaves traces on the world. And it's not just humans. From tiny bugs to the stars and galaxies in the universe—everything in creation is ultimately one big story.』
"Whoa, isn't that scaling up a bit much? All of creation and whatnot. I thought it was just some simple power to save Luna."
Everything in the world is one story. And Narrative Reestablishment was the power to rewrite those stories.
Does that mean rewriting the whole world itself?
Si-hyun had been listening lightly at first, but the sheer scale sent a chill down his spine.
『But there's one important thing. If a story has a beginning, it naturally has an end too. Just like living beings are born and die, every story must come to a close. But there are existences that escape this rule.』
"You're talking about ghost stories, right?"
Ghost stories were tales born from irrationality and tragedy. Twisted and alien, they couldn't end their own stories—they just repeated infinitely.
Yeah, that's the setup from the novel. Still, even with ghost stories becoming real, I never imagined the whole massive lore would carry over.
He was already living in a world overrun by ghost stories, but it felt like the original reality was fading, replaced by the novel's worldview.
Well... it said everything would normalize once I end all the apocalyptic tales, so it'll be fine.
Si-hyun straightened up and focused on the Notification Window's explanation again.
『Narrative Reestablishment is the power to rewrite their stories. Find the twisted points and restore them to their original state.』
"Sounds like messing with causality. Erase the cause, change the result. Anyone hearing this would think it's a god's power."
A power that defied the flow of an already-written narrative. It meant twisting the world's very laws.
『A god's power... hehe, is that how it looks to you?』
The Notification Window's little smile carried a knowing lilt, like it held the answer.
"What? Why the sudden laugh?"
『Hehe, nothing. Just kinda funny.』
"Funny? Anyway, I get the gist, but it doesn't really click. Got any more details?"
『Knew you'd say that, so I prepared something! You should always be grateful to have such a thorough planner like me by your side!』
She always has to add that one line that kills any urge to thank her. What a talent.
The Notification Window floated cautiously toward Si-hyun's face and pressed her message window against his forehead.
—Fwoosh.
What the—?
A blue flash burst before his eyes, and an old book materialized. Its cover was so tattered the title and author's name were illegible, but it gave off a strangely nostalgic vibe.
"So, what's this?"
『That's... my very first creation, let's say. Si-hyun, would you read it for me?』
"Ah, so it's something you wrote when you were clueless, full of plot holes and stuff? And Narrative Reestablishment fixes those. Now it's clicking. Writers always get super embarrassed showing their debut works, though—you sure you're okay?"
『Hehe... it's fine with you, Si-hyun. You're special to me.』
She giggled softly, but her voice trembled just a bit.
Si-hyun gave the Notification Window a gentle stroke, then flipped open the book's cover.
Once upon a time, in a distant age, there lived a girl with long, flowing hair and eyes of breathtaking beauty.
Everyone praised her looks.
"She's too beautiful."
"If the goddess of beauty walked among us, she'd look like this."
"She looks like a doll—no, no doll could capture such perfection."
But the girl felt no joy in their praise. She couldn't see her own reflection.
Did the world envy her? Ironically, her radiant eyes had been sightless since birth.
Yet in exchange for sight, she possessed mysterious powers that let her live normally—everything except seeing.
Humans struggle to believe the unseen. No matter how they praised her, it rang false to her ears.
"Everyone's a liar..."
She fled to a dark, deep forest, tired of the deceitful voices.
Seasons passed—flowers bloomed, fruits ripened, leaves fell.
"...I'm a little lonely."
One day, as loneliness struck, a knock came at her leaf-thatched home.
—Knock knock.
"Wh-who's there?"
A traveler stood at the door, wandering the world.
"Why are you here?"
"......"
He didn't answer. He couldn't—born mute.
Instead, he wrote on her palm with his finger.
《Hi? It's pouring outside—mind if I stay a bit?》
She might have refused, but loneliness softened her that day. Or perhaps his warmth stirred her heart.
"F-fine... just one night."
《Thanks. You're a kind girl.》
"N-not really..."
She welcomed him warmly. The sightless girl and the voiceless traveler.
A whim brought him in, but she grew fond of him through their talks.
《Today, a tale of the dragon on the high, icy peaks.》
"Hehe, yay!"
A worldly traveler, he shared wondrous stories and magic. She fell deeper each day, keeping him through changing seasons.
He became her eyes; she, his voice. They lived in harmony.
Then one day, she fell mysteriously ill, bedridden for days.
He nursed her devotedly, never leaving her side.
But she showed no signs of recovery.
"H-hey... am I going to die like this? I wanted to see your face before... it's a shame..."
"......"
Hearing her wish, he stroked her face nightly, promising a cure.
《It's been half a month. You'll wake cured tomorrow.》
It can't heal from just petting... but your hand feels so warm. Hehe...
She thought it mere comfort. Yet miraculously, she awoke healed one night.
And more.
"Ah... aaa... I-I can see... the night sky..."
Light returned to her eyes—from her leaf home to the starry sky and moon.
She could finally see it all.
"The world... sparkles like this."
Then, she knew what she wanted to see most.
"I want to see the traveler..."
She searched around the house, but he was gone.
"Where are you?"
Exhausted, she returned home. Her eyes caught a note on the table.
His letter for her.
《I'll get more medicine to fully cure you. Wait patiently. Okay?》
"Tch... always thinking of me..."
She clutched it like a treasure, its warmth and his scent soothing her.
"Will you call me pretty too?"
She'd wait without mirrors—for him to see her first.
"You'll be back soon... right?"
Clutching the note to her chest, she drifted into deep sleep.
Waiting for a man who would never return. Forever.
"Waaah!! What the hell is this?! It's so sad!!"
Si-hyun couldn't hold back tears after reading. A heartbreaking tale. The blind girl and mute man, separated eternally after leaning on each other.
Why couldn't he return forever?! Where'd that traveler go, leaving her behind?!
The abrupt ending screamed abandoned draft or rushed finale.
"Sniff... Notification Window, I didn't know you could write something this sad. Thought you only did ghost stories. Gotta respect that. Ugh!"
『......Is it that sad?』
"You kidding?! Why'd the traveler vanish with no explanation—and never come back?? She waits obliviously. So unfair!"
『Hehe... yeah. I still don't get why I ended it like that...』
Her voice carried a melancholic note. Nostalgia from her old work?
Makes sense.
Si-hyun stroked her understandingly.
『Si-hyun, did you spot the twist in this story?』
"Hmm... not twisted exactly, but weird from her sudden illness. Feels rushed."
『Spot on. Narrative Reestablishment finds those blind spots or falsehoods in a story and rewrites them correctly.』
"Example helps. So using this on Greed's story saves Luna?"
『Exactly! You're so smart, Si-hyun.』
As she boasted, it seemed an insanely powerful ability. Level 2 already this strong—who knew the system's cap?
Level 3, 4? I'll be unstoppable.
Si-hyun grew excited for future upgrades.
"Cool. I get it perfectly now, and Greed's not here, so let's test it. Oh, one thing first."
『What?』
"That old book story. Can't we rewrite it with Narrative Reestablishment? Keeps bugging me."
The image of the girl sleeping with the letter haunted him. Waiting innocently for a man gone forever.
It's just sad! I want her happy with the traveler.
The Notification Window looked prepared, calm.
『You're still the same as ever, Si-hyun... I'd love for you to change it. But 'not yet.' You know why.』
"Yeah, the usual—clear constraints, resolve more ghost stories to grow stronger."
That was always her reason for holding back.
『Si-hyun, when 'that day' comes... please lead the girl from sad to happy?』
"Pinky promise! No worries. Now, let's save our princess. Can't stand Greed mimicking Luna anymore."
『Hehe, don't be shocked by my masterpiece, Si-hyun!』
Ding!
Beginning now.
The pitch-black void flooded with radiant gold in an instant.