THE BENEFACTOR (English)

First Instance:

Jana recalled what had just occurred in  the initial task world. She swore it went fast— like how days easily went by during  vacation week. Jana doesn’t know the magic behind it. And with the things that are going to proceed after this, she lacked the confidence and the fighting spirit that her AI, Vivien, had given her.

Thinking idly about everything, she realized that what had brought her inside this game world is that cursed app that someone shared to her during recess.

‘Who was it again?’

Her memories are starting to deteriorate. Jana worried about her state for a long time until Vivien comfortingly divulge that her memories will be carefully constructed back once she returned to reality.

‘I was named Queenie Servantes in this mission, and that, I am a villain of someone else’s love story.’

It was midnight when she woke up in an unfamiliar room. The transfer was successful. She is now Player Jana, on her way to finish the training mission.

Jana thought the nauseating three seconds that went by is just the after-effects of staying up late for playing games. She didn’t mind it— though the supposed ‘effect’ is scaring her now. What if it leads to a more serious problem?

She opened her eyes and grasped the thin piece of clothing that sticks wetly on her skin.  ‘Ah, yes. Why did I wear this one?’

Jana stiffened when her mind finally caught on. ‘No. The question is why am I wearing this and why is it night time now?’

She’s supposed to be at school staring at her phone beside the pool!

Just a few blank moments ans now she was dressed in a white nightgown that went past her ankles. From the texture of the fabric, she guessed it might be satin. Her hair went running loose and uncomfortable on her shoulders, making the situation bad.

Now she blinked twice when her eyes started to go blurry as hell. It was not the finest welcoming gift.

She tried to pull herself out of bed when she noticed the most horrible thing that could happen to her.

She can't feel her legs.

Her nerves began to jump in her brain. Common sense recognizes that this happening is in no way normal. It can’t be! The moment she was about to open her mouth and shout for help, Vivien, the ‘trusted’ Ai's voice rang.

“Great host, how are you feeling?”

“Where am I?” Jana gasped. Her voice doesn't sound the same. It was the cherry atop of her nightmare. Her scalp tingled with dread. “Where am I? My voice isn't like this! Wait.. my, my face too...”

“Great host, I know. Have you forgotten? You accepted the conditions. Now, would you like to open the plot summary and begin the task world mission?”

“What?” Jana demanded, “I'd like to go back—now! Let me out of this!”

She had an unfortunate decision of pressing the play button. A schoolmate recommended this application called 'Pathfinder's Guide'. It was supposed to be an honest and simple role playing game but things turned to worst and she had a contact with Vivien.

“I-I don't know how.” Jana hugged herself. Lost and full of anxiety. “I…can't feel my legs. What do you want me to do?”

“To know more about the world mission, we must learn the plot summary, host.” Vivien launched, “The protagonist in this level is Hailey Greystone. She is a businesswoman, running five stores including the bakery right in front of the condo building the host is currently staying. Hailey had experienced scarcity in every way when she was young. Now that she is old enough, she ventured to make a name of her own. That's when the male lead, Giovanni Qiamco came to the part. She is Queenie Servantes' secretary. Queenie is the owner of the host's current body...”

Jana’s eyebrow started to twitch. The information unfolding in front of her made no sense— all she can see is a mildly blinking screen of blue light and no more. She not only had disabled legs but faulty eyes too!

Vivien continued with ease. “…Queenie had an accident which changes not just her life but her personality as well. A car accident ruined both of her legs. Before, the woman is outgoing and loves to travel the world. Because of being disabled, she needed to hire a secretary just for signing papers and pushing her wheelchair. Queenie does not treat Giovanni well. Often calling him names. Giovanni is not from a well-off family. That's why when the protagonist and male lead met, they felt an instant connection.”

Jana closed her eyes. That's just like those TV shows she had seen in the past! Mumbling to herself, she rolled closer to the nightstand. Feeling up the glossy wood, her hand caught a grip of something hard. It was a box. After pinching it open, a glasses presented itself. Jana tried to put it on and instantly, the blurry images became clear.

Yet no Vivien was in sight. She could still hear the system speaking but nothing suspicious can be seen in front of her. Jana nodded her head, understanding that the Ai is inside her consciousness.

The story follows when Queenie continued to bully Giovanni. Hailey will comfort the aching man and the feelings of the two will continue to expand. The male lead fell for the protagonist's great skill in cooking. Later on, Queenie will realize how important was Giovanni to her. The protagonist and the male lead is now exclusively dating when Queenie decided to get the man back.

Giovanni quits as Queenie's secretary. Leaving the woman with no one beside her. No one can stand Queenie like Gio does. Queenie tried to apologize but then Hailey held Gio tight, promising to make their future together. Gio only bid Queenie his last goodbye.

Disappointed and forlorn, Queenie decided to throw everybody out. She learned something about her family that made her question her existence. With her frustration, she decided to stop breathing for life. Queenie ended her own pain.

Jana can’t really blame Queenie’s decision. She can’t judge the woman because she had no idea how to live her life the fullest only to wake up and lose everything that she has. She’s only 18 in reality, whereas Queenie is 27 years old.

If one spent their whole life walking with two legs, it would be more than a shock to find out that they could only crawl for the rest of their remaining life. It’s devastating.

Giovanni heard the news about Queenie's demise and blamed himself for it. He then became absent-minded. Extremely guilty that he did not talk with Queenie properly. 

The female protagonist fought with the male lead and reasoned for all that she could. It's not his fault that Gio is just a human. He needed love, and love is where Hailey is. Queenie should have just accepted it. After their conversation, Hailey hugged Giovanni. Done resolving their conflict, the male lead proposed, and the story ended on their wedding.

It was a good story. She heard something like this before. Not the same characters, but the struggles were equal. Jana inquired, “The story is perfect. What needs to be done?"

She didn't know getting hit by a stray ball in the middle of playing a game may lead her in this problem. If she had only known, then maybe she wouldn't even think about using her phone for a year!

“Tsk! The great host is not paying attention. Attentiveness can save lives, host.” After the gentle laugh, the Ai said with a cold voice, “The host must prevent her own death.”

Jana was quiet for a second before she blinked furiously. “What?”

‘Why do I have a bad feeling about this?’

“Each instances issue different tasks. But one of these task remains certain and unchangeable; you must prevent the main couple from ending up together. In this mission, you are tasked to change Queenie Servantes' ending and prevent the protagonist's from falling in love.” Vivien cheered. “Host, I wish you luck—enjoy the task!”

Jana busied herself when the system went silent. She ran a critical eye to every clause in her contract  written on the faint hologram in front of her.

Dying inside the instances had no damage on her real body once she went back to the present world. She's basically immortal inside the game. Yet, that doesn't mean that every injury won't hurt her.

Once her character died, she can have rebirth just by spending some points— something she doesn’t have at the moment so it’s no way to go. 

Even though this condition looks good, she would still likely feel the pain of being murdered or anything related to sickness. This might be all virtual but the feelings here are real-life. That's what scares her the most.

‘What if I get... attached to these characters?’

The fast time spent inside the game is a hundred times slower in the reality. Once she passes all these then she should still be able to eat dinner at home by ten. Her landlord would be full of litany again if she get home later than usual— which is 11 PM.

Jana told herself to be optimistic. However, settling low in her gut is a feeling where as though everything right now sounds ominous.

Like the great doom is just ahead.