Author Of Worlds: I Reincarnated Into My Novel As A Random Character
Chapter 23: Author vs Protagonists?

Chapter 23: Author vs Protagonists?

’How terrifying... Fortunately, I didn’t endanger my life by acting impulsively.’

Sylvia had been preparing to attack for a while and had only waited to gauge the strength of the masked esper, carefully weighing her chances against him.

However, she didn’t expect that her cautious decision would prove to be the right one.

Staring at the two figures, she frowned.

She couldn’t see either of their faces, so their identities remained a mystery.

However, she could guess that they were most likely not students.

’There shouldn’t be anyone else as strong as me. I’m only this powerful because I have a unique cheat of my own,’ Sylvia thought internally, her gaze shifting to the confrontation between the two.

Glancing coldly at the figure who seemed like a grim reaper, Leo was filled with shock.

Trying to calm his still-pounding heart, he turned his gaze to the upgrade crystal lying on the floor.

Because he had been slightly fearful earlier and acted in haste, he had accidentally dropped the crystal.

Now, his eyes burned with desire as they locked onto the crystal shimmering faintly on the ground.

Just as he had said before, he was willing to do anything to keep the artifact.

With determination surging within him, he clenched his fist tightly. In the next instant, he punched forward.

Immediately, the surroundings rumbled, and a brilliant streak of light surged out, rapidly heading in Matthew’s direction.

Matthew barely reacted before the lightning arrow pierced his shoulder.

His eyes widened in shock at the sheer speed of the attack.

In that moment, he realized a disadvantage in his ability, something he had overlooked before.

’I’m slower than him.’ He frowned at the thought, slowly raising his hand toward his shoulder where the lightning arrow had struck.

Sparks still danced across his skin, and arcs of electricity crackled, causing his muscles to twitch and seize involuntarily.

As soon as his hand touched the arrow of light, a mysterious wave of origin energy surged from his body.

Immediately, the lightning arrow began disintegrating at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Seeing this, Leo was stunned. ’He can destroy my lightning as well?’

His expression was filled with disbelief, and even Sylvia, who was observing from a hidden spot in the distance, was shocked.

It was the first time she had seen such a mysterious and terrifying ability—one that could erase elemental force so effortlessly.

Even her own ability, which was somewhat similar, had strict limitations.

If not for her system, she would barely be able to use her power effectively.

Matthew felt a wave of pain course through his body.

He frowned slightly. ’There’s no need to hesitate or stay here any longer.’

Staring at a particular direction, he nodded and turned away from Leo.

Axel, who had been hiding behind a shelf and observing the entire scene, received the signal. Without hesitation, his figure vanished from his location.

Using his spatial teleportation ability, he appeared beside Matthew in a burst of spatial distortion.

The moment he arrived, he reached for the upgrade crystal. At the same time, his hand gently clasped Matthew’s arm.

Without delay, he activated his ability again, hoping to teleport both himself and Matthew away from the treasury.

Unfortunately, just as he felt the familiar tug of teleportation, a restriction clamped down on his origin energy.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and even Matthew, who was about to be whisked away, felt the same strange sensation wash over him.

’This feeling... The sensation of atomic alteration.’ Matthew was certain he wasn’t mistaken.

His eyes scanned the area frantically, and then he saw a figure step out from the shadows. The person was clad entirely in a black trainee outfit.

Just from the silhouette, it was easy to tell that the figure was a woman.

’Is that... Sylvia? What is she doing here?’ Matthew didn’t even need to think twice.

The moment he realized the mysterious observer was female, he knew it had to be Sylvia. After all, only she had awakened along the origin path of molecular alteration.

With her unique ability, she could manipulate the structure of molecules around her, turning solids into vapor, liquids into crystals, and much more.

Of course, Matthew had placed several limitations on her ability when designing her character.

He knew such a power would be too broken without weaknesses, especially for a protagonist like her.

"No one is going anywhere." Just like with Leo, Sylvia altered her voice slightly.

However, it was still easy to tell that the speaker was a woman.

Leo looked up at the new arrival. ’Another one? What are they all doing here?’ He frowned.

’I knew the system would never give me an easy mission. Such a heartless thing.’ Leo could not help but curse inwardly at the shamelessness of the system.

Still, he could not back away now. He had to obtain the artifact at all costs.

It would be extremely beneficial to him, and besides, the penalty...

Leo’s anger flared as he remembered the punishment and felt another urge to curse the system’s black heart.

Matthew gazed at Sylvia deeply, thoughts flashing rapidly through his mind.

There was no way they could escape if she chose to keep them here.

Although she could not restrain them forever, Matthew grew apprehensive at the thought of her teaming up with Leo.

Him, against two protagonists from his own novel?

Although the fight would be thrilling, he had no time to waste battling them right now.

Sylvia also stared at Matthew and Axel.

Though she could barely make out Axel’s figure, her expression showed hesitation.

After a brief pause, she spoke, "Hand over the box and I’ll let you go."

Matthew sneered inwardly.

As expected of his cunning protagonist.

He was ninety-nine percent certain she would not stick to her word.

Instead, she would look for a way to extract more benefits from them.

A thought flashed through Matthew’s mind, and his eyes lit up with inspiration.

Waving his hand slightly, he spoke in a solemn, deeper voice, altering his tone deliberately. "If you don’t let us go, I will use my ability to destroy whatever is in the box."

"You seem to care a great deal about it. If that happens, how will you possibly obtain what is inside?"

Hearing those words, Sylvia’s expression changed drastically.

She hadn’t expected Matthew to say such a thing.

’If that happens, wouldn’t it count as failing my mission? Then my ability...?’