The Twin Authors
Chapter 3
Kota: I've returned… Alright, I need to think.
I went through the day exactly as I did in the first loop. Every conversation, every movement — all the same. But my mind wouldn't stop spinning.
How do I stop what happened last time?
I wasn't going to let them die again.
Suddenly, Nora came running, panic clear in her voice.
Nora: Everyone! There's something wrong.
Aaron: What do you mean?
Nora: The college… it's empty. The lecture halls, the campus — it's like we're the only people left.
Then, like a cruel memory repeating itself, the same terrifying roars echoed through the empty streets. Shadows moved in the distance. Goblins. And… wolves? Since when were there wolves?
Kota: Damn it — here we go again.
We rushed toward the shelter just like before. But this time, a change happened.
A goblin ambushed me from above, stabbing its jagged blade deep into my stomach.
Gerald: KOTA!
Without thinking, Gerald grabbed a nearby chair and smashed it down on the goblin's skull. The creature dropped to the ground.
Gerald: What… what the hell is this…?
His hands trembled. A faint, translucent blue screen floated in front of him.
Gerald: A… screen? No way…
Yone: Gerald! Focus! We need to go!
Gerald shook his head, dismissing it for now, and lifted me onto his back. Blood seeped from my wound, but I held on. The pain was sharp — but I had no choice but to bear it.
We reached the shelter. The rest of the conversation played out like the first loop. I told them the truth about this world being a novel, about the monsters, about what was coming. Fear took over their faces once again. But this time… something was different.
Gerald: I… have something to say.
Everyone turned to him, surprised. Even I felt my pulse quicken.
Gerald: When I killed that goblin… a blue screen appeared in front of me. It said: "You have awakened the class: Paladin. Congratulations on your first skill: Guiding Light."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Kota inside his mind: *It worked… the system works for them too*.
That changed everything. If my friends could awaken classes and skills like me — there was hope.
Kota: Gerald, give me more details.
Gerald: It said because I killed the monster, I was chosen as a player and received a class and skill. That's all I saw.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Kota: This could save us.
But the pain in my stomach was unbearable. Blood loss was making me dizzy. I wanted to close my eyes so badly… but I couldn't.
No. I can't sleep.
I pressed my teeth. If I sleep now, this will become my new check point. If I lose my progress now, it's over.
I forced myself to stay conscious, placing my hand on my side while trying to think. No naps. No mistakes.
Then, a loud scream shattered the air.
Nora: AAAHHHH!
The goblins had found the shelter. My blood scent must've led them here. I barely turned my head before I saw them storming in, cutting down my friends one after another.
Gerald fought like a warrior, wielding a broken chair like a club. Nora stood in front of me, trying to protect me.
But one by one… they fell.
Goblin: Kekekekeke!
A blade pierced my heart.
Kota: Bas…tards…
And then — I woke up.
Back in the lecture hall.
My third try.
Kota: Alright. This time, I'll combine what I learned from both loops. No mistakes.
And I did.
Everything followed the pattern of the first loop, but this time when the goblin leapt at me — I dodged, slicing it down before it could strike.
We made it to the shelter safely. After telling them the truth about this world again — I left out the time travel part, of course — I explained the system.
Kota: The system activates when you kill a monster. You'll gain a class and a skill. It's the only way we're getting out of this alive.
Nora: We… we have to fight?
Jumana: Those terrifying monsters?!
Kota: I'm sorry. But it's the only way. And you'll get used to it. I promise — and I'll protect you, all of you.
I went out alone, this time not to find that hobo goblin but to capture monsters.
Seven of them.
Six goblins. One wolf.
I cut their vocal cords so they couldn't call for help. Broke their limbs to keep them from moving.
Then dragged them back to the shelter.
Kota: Kill them.
The others hesitated, fear thick in the air. Only Yone and Gerald stepped forward without pause.
Yone: In order to survive, we have to fight. Fear will just get us killed. And I don't plan on dying in this damn novel.
He drove a club into one goblin's skull.
Gerald followed and killed another one.
The others, shaken, soon picked up whatever weapons they could find.
One by one… they killed.
And just as I expected — the system screens appeared for each of them.
Kota: Good. Now — tell me your classes and skills.
They gathered around, panting, pale but alive.
Yone – The Rogue
Weapon: Twin daggers (system-granted)
Skill: Ghost – Turn invisible for 5 minutes. Ends upon attacking. Gerald – The Paladin
Weapon: Sword & Shield
Skill: Blind – Emit a light beam that blinds all enemies in range (user can choose who's affected). Aaron – The Mage
Weapon: Wooden Staff
Skill: Mana Spikes – Summon spikes of mana from the ground or air. Costs stamina. Aliera – The Support
Weapon: Spell Book
Skill: Enhance – Increases an ally's speed, strength, and grants a protective shield. Jumana – The Archer
Weapon: Bow
Skill: Arrow Rain – Fire a magic arrow that splits into multiple arrows midair. Nora – The Healer
Weapon: Healing Gloves
Skill: Repair – Heal wounds (except fatal ones) and remove status effects like burns, poison, or blindness. Yarelia – The Blades Lady
Weapon: Eight floating blades (four on each side)
Skill: Piercing Spear – Merge four blades into a spear and launch it. The spear lasts 2 minutes.
With those skills, my knowledge from the previous loops, and the combat experience I'd gained… we could finally survive.
Kota: This time… we are going to win!
In a distant, shadowy void…
A figure stood watching a screen showing our every move. A wicked smile crossed his face.
???: The events are getting more interesting… Kekekekeke!