Their return to the Citadel was a welcome relief. The quiet, predictable unreality of their personal dimension was a balm after the chaotic absurdity of their "vacation." They had successfully taken a break, accidentally created a new cosmic entity, and had probably given a poor office worker a lifetime of romantic-comedy-induced trauma. All in all, a standard mission.
In the Chamber of the Unwritten Page, the tale of Kim Min-Joon was now complete, marked with a small, humorous footnote from the Author King: 'Note: Introduction of tertiary cosmic entities for the purpose of comedic relief is... unorthodox, but effective. Approved.'
The boon for this tale was subtle. No new skills, no new items. Instead, the 'Sanctuary's Heart' of their Citadel pulsed, and a new wing of the castle materialized. It was a perfect, fully-stocked modern apartment, identical to Kim Min-Joon's, complete with a kitchen full of instant noodles and a high-end computer with the latest web-dramas pre-loaded.
It was a memento. A quiet space within their epic fortress dedicated to the simple, ordinary life they had briefly touched. It was, Jin-woo thought, the most meaningful reward they had yet received.
Cid, of course, immediately declared it the "Official Inter-Arc Relaxation Chamber."
With their vacation officially over, it was time to get back to work. The Unwritten Page presented their next selection. The options from before—'The Serpentine Emperor' and 'The Dollhouse of Dread'—were still there. But a new, third option had appeared, its text glowing with a more urgent light.
Tale C: The Princess's Gambit
[Genre: Political Thriller / Royal Intrigue - Midgar]
[Synopsis: Princess Iris Midgar, frustrated by the games of the 'Shadow Alliance,' has taken a new, drastic approach. Believing the key to understanding the phantoms lies with their history, she has sponsored a major archaeological expedition to the 'Lost Kingdom of Alexandria,' the fabled, ancient civilization where the Cult of Diablos, the demon Diablos, and even the heroes Olivier and Freya are said to have originated. She seeks answers, but the Cult's remnants, led by a new, cunning leader, seek a weapon. Deep within the ruins, a power sleeps that could validate Cid's lies... or expose them to the entire world.]
But the danger was immense. Cid's entire Shadow Garden organization was built upon a foundation of lies he had spun as a child. He'd told them of the demon Diablos, the Cult, the ancient heroes—all of it. What if Iris, in this ancient kingdom, found evidence that proved none of it was real? It could shatter the faith of his most loyal followers.
Worse, what if she found something that was... real? Something that he had accidentally gotten right?
The choice was clear. Their own, carefully constructed narrative was at stake. They chose Tale C.
This time, there was no need for a portal. The target was in their own home world.
Their 'Editor's Privilege' was available. Three Major Revisions.
"What's the plan?" Jin-woo asked. "What revisions can we make to control an archaeological dig?"
Cid tapped his Author's Pen against his chin, his mind working at a furious pace. "The problem isn't Iris. The problem is what she might find. The truth. The real history of Alexandria might be boring. It might contradict my stories. We can't leave that to chance. So, our revisions will not be about adding obstacles or allies. They will be about... retroactive continuity. We are going to pre-emptively rewrite the history of Alexandria to match the lore I created!"
It was the most audacious, most egotistical, and most brilliant plan he had ever conceived.
"First Revision," Cid declared, his Pen glowing. He wrote: "The ancient Kingdom of Alexandria did, in fact, secretly battle a demonic entity known as Diablos. Their struggle was recorded on a series of hidden, magically-sealed 'Chronicle Stones,' written by an unknown court historian of the time."
He had just made his biggest lie a historical fact.
"Second Revision," Jin-woo added, seeing the strategic value. "The followers of Diablos are also seeking these stones. They need a key." He wrote: "The Cult's new leader believes the 'key' to unsealing the Chronicle Stones is a royal bloodline. They are now actively hunting a lesser-known, distant branch of the royal family, believing their blood is the catalyst."
This created a perfect distraction. The Cult would now be on a wild goose chase, hunting for a non-existent MacGuffin, leaving the ruins clear for Iris and, more importantly, for them.
"Third and final Revision," Cid said, a look of pure, concentrated genius on his face. "Every good legend needs a twist. A hidden truth behind the obvious one." He wrote: "The 'unknown court historian' who wrote the Chronicle Stones was, in fact, a mysterious, shadow-like figure who appeared, guided the kingdom in its darkest hour, and then vanished. He left behind a single, enigmatic prophecy: 'When my legend echoes in a future age, two true shadows will descend to finish the tale'."
Jin-woo stared at him.
With their three revisions, they had completely rewritten the historical foundations of the world to perfectly match the fanfiction Cid had created as a child. They hadn't just set the stage; they had built the theater, written the historical plays, and cast themselves as the legendary, prophesied heroes.
They cloaked themselves in Jin-woo's 'Shadows of Silence' and made their way to the desolate, windswept plains where the ruins of Alexandria were being excavated.
They arrived to find a massive, bustling dig site. Princess Iris was there, overseeing the operation with a grim determination. Her best knights stood guard, while royal archaeologists carefully unearthed ancient walls and forgotten artifacts.
But there was a new energy here. The archaeologists were in a state of feverish excitement.
"Princess, you won't believe it!" one of the lead scholars exclaimed, running up to Iris, holding a newly discovered stone tablet. "The rumors were true! The ancient glyphs speak of a 'Cult of Diablos'! They fought a war in the shadows against a 'demon lord'!"
Iris's eyes widened. The mad fairytale that Cid had told her... it was real?
Another archaeologist cried out from a newly opened chamber. "Incredible! We've found it! A sealed vault... and the inscription speaks of 'Chronicle Stones' hidden within!"
Everything was proceeding exactly as Cid had written it. Iris was finding "proof" that his story was true, her suspicion slowly being eroded and replaced by a mind-bending, grudging belief.
From a high, shadowed vantage point, Cid and Jin-woo watched.
But Jin-woo, his Narrator's Eye scanning the entire dig site, felt a subtle, narrative dissonance. Something was wrong.
Jin-woo focused his perception deep within the sealed, ancient vault. Iris's men were working to break the magical seals. But there was something inside already. Something ancient, something powerful. Something... familiar.
It was a being of shadow and forgotten lore.
And it was not them.
Cid's revision, his self-insert into the ancient past, had not just created a historical record. The Author King, in his infinite, meta-narrative wisdom, had actually created the character.
An ancient, powerful, and very real "Eminence in Shadow" had been sleeping in that vault for a thousand years, waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
Cid had just written his own, ancient, and terrifyingly real predecessor into existence. And he was about to wake up.