Yuto slightly frowned as he looked at the panel before him, which resembled a shop interface.
"Wait, what's going on…?"
The spot where "Vision Holder" was previously displayed remained empty, and even the option for "Main Storyline Adaptation" was grayed out, as if it couldn't be selected.
"Is it because all the changes I could make to this scene's plot have already occurred, and the current main quest hasn't refreshed, so I can't edit it yet?"
Upon this thought, Yuto gently shook his head and sighed.
"Indeed… anything directly tied to the main storyline is beyond my reach. Is this what it means to be the protagonist…?"
Yuto sighed once more, lightly patted his face to rouse himself, and then refocused his gaze on the panel before him.
Aside from the change in "Main Storyline Adaptation," another option had appeared on the panel.
"Participate in Character Story Quests: 2000 Popularity Points"
"Currently available characters: Furina, Navia, Arlecchino, Neuvillette"
Below the names of these characters were their silhouettes, which flickered at this moment, seemingly… capable of being illuminated.
"Participate in character's Story Quests, huh…? That seems like a good option too."
"However… I don't have enough Popularity Points to choose it right now, especially since… Linney's Judgment plot is the key."
Thinking this, Yuto nodded gently and, with a thought, closed the panel that looked like a game store.
"Speaking of which… what is this 'Real-World Footage' thing? Could it be that all the crazy bullet comments from that live stream, seeing my situation, were recorded?"
"But… there shouldn't be anything to it, right? Even if they were wriggling on the bed like maggots, I don't think there would be an—"
As if he had thought of an indescribable scene, Yuto's muttering hadn't even finished when his face suddenly darkened, and he gave up on continuing.
His silence and his actions… already conveyed his attitude.
The hand that was about to click on "Real-World Footage" instantly froze in mid-air. He was truly struggling now…
Whether or not to click it.
He felt as if an Abyss lay before him, and one more step forward would surely lead to eternal damnation.
Thinking this, he slowly tried to pull his hand back, but at that moment… an additional light screen appeared before him.
"Watching the entire 'Real-World Footage EP1' will grant extra Popularity Points reward."
Upon seeing this prompt screen, Yuto's hand, which he had been about to retract, instantly stopped again.
"Extra Popularity Points reward…?"
Yuto repeated these words while recalling the various prices he faced in his mind.
To be honest, he really wanted to know what his own Story Quest was like.
Even putting aside his curiosity, subsequent quests revolved around Judgment. If he wanted to control his own destiny…
That meant he needed more Popularity Points.
Thinking this, Yuto's answer was actually quite clear.
His hand, which had been frozen in mid-air and about to retract, stretched out like a resolute warrior, touching that somewhat embarrassing phrase.
As the light screen before him vanished, another light screen, identical to the one from last night, unfolded before him.
Seeing this, Yuto leaned back in his chair with a sigh of relief, his face displaying an expression of… readiness to face death.
He watched the loading bar slowly fill, gently closed his eyes, and prayed inwardly:
"I hope there's nothing that can directly kill me…"
After waiting for a while, a female voice roused Yuto from his self-praying mental vortex.
"Especially that Assistant Administrator; his speech in the PV always makes him seem like a villain slandering the protagonist group."
Hearing this, Yuto's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he finally let out a slow sigh.
"I knew it would be like this… Thankfully, I established a gentle persona early on, otherwise, the misunderstanding would have been huge."
Based on his understanding of the player community… after that PV was released, many people must have made negative conjectures about him.
In his memory, there was a website portal called Jingying Forum that often published… quite outrageous news.
This included, but was not limited to, Venti kneeling to the Raiden Shogun, the absence of insider leaks meaning new maps weren't made, video game releases affecting the nation's dragon veins, and a series of other absurd contents that would make one explode just by looking at them.
Of course, new characters not appearing in leaked information would also be criticized as 'air-dropped' characters.
Thinking this, Yuto gently shook his head.
"I hope my existence hasn't become the start of some gender conflict; that's not fun for me…"
"Wait? Could this also be a way to increase popularity?"
Yuto fell into contemplation until an even more outrageous statement and the emotionless electronic synthesized voice of the bullet comment system made his brain completely crash.
"Ah~ such a gentle smile, such a considerate expression and movement, he's so gentle, I love him so much~"
"Everyone, look at me! I'm announcing something! I am the Chief Justice's dog!"
"Hehe… Yuto (drooling emoji)… my Yuto… hehehe…"
"This gentle smile reminds me of my great-grandmother… Ah~ indeed, a gentle smile just killed me, great-grandmother… ah no, Lord Yuto! Take me away quickly!"
"Lord Yuto, why did you leave? Why didn't you come with me on the spoutrail? Lord Yuto! Lord Yuto! How can I live without you, boohoohoohoo!"
"I've got inspiration! The Chief Justice and the Assistant Administrator: the stories that must be told! I'm starting to write now!"
"Update quickly! Platinum-level speed, sleepless nights!"
"I said I'm a sucker for looks! I'm already two-dimensional, just let me have this. Besides, he smiles so gently, just like that kind doctor we misunderstood, why can't he be a good person?"
"What air-dropped character? Having a Vision makes you an air-dropped character? Are the games made by insiders? Are you crazy or am I?"
Hearing this, the expression on Yuto's face gradually relaxed.
"It seems there are still more normal people in this world…"
"But… why does everyone seem a bit starved for affection? Or is it because my persona fulfills their yearning for a good superior?"