Authority.
Authority can refer to both a person or an institution that has the power or right to control, command, or influence others. It can also refer to the perceived legitimacy of that power or influence.
In many contexts, authority is derived from a formal position of power, such as a government official, a police officer, or a CEO of a company.
However, authority can also be derived from expertise or knowledge.
For example, a doctor may have authority in matters related to health, while a professor may have authority in matters related to their field of study.
Authority can also be perceived and accepted by those who are being influenced or controlled. This is often referred to as "legitimate authority" and can be based on a sense of trust, respect, or tradition.
However, for Rain, what was Authority?
It was the way to satisfy his curiosity.
The more authority he gains over information, the better for him.
***
→[Congratulations to the Host for making it till this phase of the plot.]
→[Plot progress has been accelerated. Please make your best effort to survive till the end. Be cautious.]
→[Authority level 2 has been granted. Task board and achievement panel are now unlocked.]
Rain stared at the system windows in front of him, there were a bunch of notifications that had popped up.
As he read through them, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over him.
It had been more than two months since he first discovered the authority, and since then, his life had changed in ways he never could have imagined.
He remembered the day he first stumbled upon the concept of the authority, a mysterious thing to have.
With that, he could gain answers from the system. And the only thing he had to do was survive the plot.
"System. Show me current plot progress."
As soon Rain spoke, a transparent window appeared in the air.
╟─┈━═[Extra Character System - Plot Progress]═━┈─╢
→[Plot Start Milestone Passed.]
→[Plot Phase one over.]
→[Current Plot progress: 8.75%]
→[Upcoming Milestone - 10%]
- Estimated time: 2 weeks
→[Plot Acceleration Rate: 175%]
→[Estimated Time for Plot Ending - Error]
- Can't deduct. Assumed to me be around 2 or 3 years
═─┈─═─┈─═
Rain couldn't help but exclaim after looking at the plot progress.
It was more detailed compared to first time he saw it. Maybe it was when he chose the extra character as his choice.
However, some things were little concerning to him.
First one was Plot Acceleration Rate.
"It's still low. I thought it would be double compared to the original one."
In a dissatisfied tone, Rain expressed his concerns, noting that he had hoped for a more rapid progression in the plot.
He wondered if there was a way to increase the acceleration rate or if he needed to make some changes in his approach to the story.
→[Host, don't do that. Remove that devilish thought from your mind.]
"Sure, sure." Rain nodded as he answered.
Of course, he was going to make plot progress faster.
"I'm curious, System, why is the plot progressing so slowly?" Rain asked, his tone inquisitive. He had put in a lot of effort to advance the plot, but it still seemed to be dragging.
He thought that killing some enemies and moving events forward would accelerate the plot, but it didn't seem to be working. Rain was growing frustrated and increasingly impatient with the situation.
→[Host, even though you have done some things, you have also neglected others.]
→[For example, the bond between the heroines and the protagonist still hasn't formed, and the protagonist's group is still unstable.]
The System replied, pointing out Rain's mistakes.
Rain grumbled in response, "Do you want me to be a matchmaker or a cupid, now?" He was annoyed at the System's criticism and felt like it was mocking him.
→[It's your choice, Host. However, given your high level of misfortune, you might be more suitable to break up couples.]
The System quipped, further irritating Rain.
"Tch." Rain clicked his tongue in frustration. "Now, could you explain the error in the estimated time for the plot ending, my ever-perfect System?" he asked sarcastically, feeling exasperated.
→[Host, I am not a voyeur like you. I cannot watch every person in the world. How can I possibly know when the plot will end?]
→[Moreover, you have been livestreaming globally, so I can't even assume what kind of variations you have made now.]
The System retorted, making Rain feel like it was not taking him seriously.
"Then, doesn't that mean your numbers regarding plot progress are also wrong?" Rain asked with mischievous smile.
After all, if the system can't watch every person, how can it know about how much plot has been progressed?
→[Yeah, Host is true.]
"So what will you do regarding that matter?" Rain asked, curiously.
→[I will try to solve that issue. I have my ways.]
"Alright, stop whining." Rain interrupted. "I have more important things to do."
"Answer my question," he demanded, feeling impatient and annoyed. As Rain had more authority now, he wanted to try gathering some information.
→[Surely. If it's within your authority.]
"What will happen if Heroine and the protagonist don't end up together?" Rain asked. This was one of the important questions.
From what happened with Arya, and other heroines showing less interest in Ken compared to the original plot, Rain was concerned.
Will plot progress not reach 100 if they don't end up together? Rain was worried.
→[Nothing will happen. It's not much big deal.]
Rain was slightly shocked after hearing this, still he was relieved.
"What will happen if I die?" Rain asked in a serious tone, feeling anxious and curious about what the answer would be.
→[Your question is confusing, Host. Doesn't every person cease to exist when they die?]
The System replied, making Rain feel frustrated with its vague response.
"Don't play word games with me," Rain retorted. "You and I both know what I'm talking about." He was growing more impatient with the System's evasive responses.
Rain was curious to know if he would get another chance if he died, feeling both hopeful and worried about the possibility.
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