Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 563: Branched Endings

'It's better to have a plan C, but it's not like a done deal.'

Although it was ironic that the main quest Leo received this time around was the exact opposite of his last one, both quests shared the same attribute of being highly difficult.

Just like killing a protagonist who is meant to always come out on top was almost impossible, saving a protagonist who was destined to have a bad ending was just as implausible.

However, thanks to landing on his most powerful alternate self yet, Leo's path could be considered to be smooth sailing, but that would only remain true until facing the real ordeal… Or at least that was how it should have been.

'It was already frustrating to read about one, having to face one is a whole other shebang.'

It didn't have to be Leo himself, any experienced reader who read enough fantasy novels would immediately recognize the nature of the final boss as soon as they read their introduction.

Rather than an enemy that could be beaten with more strength or allies, the final boss was more of a stumbling block that the protagonist had to stumble on.

Even in most popular games that Leo had only heard about, this final boss was comparable to a forced cutscene where the player could only watch but not react.

If constricted to the fantastical situations that Leo had already been through, then the closest example would be the surprise descent of Murim's Demon Lord.

However, in City of Villains' case, not only was the threat even more unrealistic, but there was no antidote-like Guardian waiting to fulfill his duty. This time, the protagonist was on their own.

'Of course, that's just how it was in the novel.'

In reality, unless it was actual plot armor, Aurora had somehow managed to receive the greatest help she could get, a serious Cassian who had to save her. That being said, even Cassian's peak form wasn't enough to face an exploding nuclear bomb!

As such, it was all about how literally the main quest could be taken. With some liberty, the next best thing was pretty doable.

'If it's only saving her from that 'event'...'

Originally, there were only two routes that Leo had his eyes on. If prevention wasn't possible, then the only plausible option left was escape!

To begin with, the reason the final boss managed to find his way to Earth was because Aurora wasn't able to keep the Encroachment Rate from growing too high.

Of course, this was mainly due to the interference of her 'friends', but the results didn't care who was actually at fault. With enough erosion to support his presence, the final boss stepped in and removed all sense of fairness from the final survival challenge.

This time around, however…

'As long as nothing unexpected happens…'

Having already put a huge dent in the original Encroachment Rate of the first trial, Leo was optimistic about stopping any unbeatable-level threats from emerging. That being said, he simply couldn't take it for granted.

'In case the unexpected does happen…'

Whether it would be more external interference or one more thing that was omitted from the novel, Leo had to be prepared for an inflated Encroachment Rate that might fly from his grasp.

That was precisely why plan B was absolutely necessary.

'Only 'the protagonist' has to be saved.'

The main quest was never about reaching a happy ending or saving the world, in fact, it was as specific as it could be. From Leo's perspective, the protagonist was the only one that mattered.

'Not that I get a choice in this matter.'

Naturally, if Leo could save everyone, he would, but once plan A failed, that kind of aspiration was very unrealistic.

Besides, while this was originally the choice of his 'Reader' ability, Aurora did deserve saving. She might be extremely naive in some ways, but this was likely to be the influence of her Ability.

At the very start, she was just a kind-hearted person who wanted to help everyone.

'Cassian was attracted to her for a reason.'

Having spent enough time to digest everything in Cassian's heart, Leo was aware of Cassian's feelings as they became part of him.

Rather than viewing her as a romantic interest, Cassian's feelings were closer to that of fatherly love.

As someone who successfully broke out of the endless cycle of suffering with no returns, seeing another person having similar trouble moved something in his exhausted heart.

Perhaps by watching every major event of her life, Cassian aimed to rush in and give her a push whenever Aurora seemed close enough to breaking out herself. Although…

'There was no such thing in the novel.'

Not only did Aurora continue to suffer until the very end, but Cassian was almost never mentioned again, which only made sense considering his deteriorating mental state.

Yet, somehow, at the same time, it could be said that the main quest was in perfect alignment with Cassian's original intentions, which Leo came to understand.

Of course, Leo had to do it either way for the sake of his own survival. After all, no other scenario worked for him.

If he were to let Aurora meet her 'bad ending', he and the world would be saved, but he would have no way out of this book.

In the same way, even if he managed to prevent Aurora's 'bad ending', failing to properly protect her as the world underwent the destructive invasion would result in Leo's own 'bad ending'...

As such, despite the complications that came with excuting it, plan B was an undeniable necessity. In fact, a part of the last 9 months had been dedicated to planning out its details.

'I still need a few more hiding spots, but things are progressing well in that department…'

With no way of defeating the final boss, Leo planned to use the complexity of Earth's structure to create several temporary 'homes' for Aurora along with a miniature version of a human society.

'In theory, that is. I don't have a lot of choices, but plan B has to be the one I hate the most.'

Whether said plan could actually be applied to reality was still left to be seen. Thankfully…

'Even if it's just empty hope for now, plan C is still the most optimal.'

There might be another option just yet!