When my panic attack subsided and the emotionless shock settled in. I realized I had just killed a man in cold blood. Even if he was a dreg from a novel I wrote, he was still a character I included. Someone that served to progress the story and help the main character grow stronger.

I didn't even know the guy's name.

I bet it's Chad.

[You've eliminated contestant Zeke.]

Even better.

Zeke was dead. I was alive.

I need to stay alive. If I die, everyone will.

I cared about my life first and foremost, but a small part of me said it was because I wanted to save this novel. Even if it was an absolute shitshow, pun not intended, and was a downer capable of making even the most resilient of readers cringe. There was a part of me that knew, somehow, that this novel was a reflection of everything I hated about myself.

If I could conquer it. If I survive. Wouldn't that mean something?

[Congratulations. You slayed a human. You qualify for a system upgrade.]

[System Level 1]

[Character Sheet Unlocked.]

[Name: ???]

[Sponsors: C210141, *Redacted*]

[Points: 10]

[Traits: Clear Mind, Copy]

[Items: Shield?]

Ten points for killing my first human. In the future, it would be half of the person's points.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I'll probably kill a lot more from now on.

It was the only way to survive in this book, after all.

Frankly, I don't know how I'm alive. My heart dropped at about the same time the slippery ball did. No sparks were set, and the shrapnel was limited to right underneath Zeke. His body was still mostly intact if a bit gnarly. He must have died from shock.

"Congrats, contestant. You won. And sur-survived."

The goat sponsor praised me. The second sponsor, the beautiful Cecaelia with the octopus legs, also addressed me. I had to force myself to look her in the eyes. Her oversized mammaries were distracting.

Let this be a lesson not to write a novel while horny.

"Where did you get such a device, human?"

"I received it from a different sponsor."

Her delicate eyebrows rose, and she seemed sufficiently scared. The goat shuffled its feet as if performing an Irish clog dance.

It was no wonder since the only one who got sponsored before entering the portal was the Main character.

Ultimately, the Cecaelia recovered first.

"Well. I wouldn't mind sponsoring you too. Is there anything you'd like?"

"Some burn cream? And maybe some water."

Nodding her head, she gave him a once-over. He looked incredibly pitiful.

[Sponsor M-2955 has sponsored you.]

He received the burn cream, placing it in a safe place for now. The water bottle was a generic dollar store brand, so it crinkled loudly as he squeezed it dry.

He should have asked for some Percocet too.

"Here. This is yours. Please don't light here."

The goat alien handed him a matchbook with a single match inside. He quickly placed it away before an accident happened.

"Thank you. Both of you. What is a sponsor anyway? Do you guys get anything for helping me?"

"Yes."

"..."

I stared at the goat guy. It stared back. So I blankly turned to the Cecaelia for an answer.

"We aren't allowed to offer answers. Just know that we benefit from this."

She held her hands in front of her, squeezing her chest out of her blouse. The monster woman knew what she was doing and smiled when I fell into her trap.

I had wanted to confirm some more information, but it seems I'll have to get to a safe zone first.

"Alright. Will I see you two again?"

"No."

"Unfortunately."

Well then.

Seeing as I couldn't get anything else out of this conversation, I collected Zeke's crude sword and went about scooping up as much black powder into my water bottle as I could. I occasionally threw a glance at the sponsors to see if they'd stop me, but they seemed satisfied.

I also took occasional peeks at the Cecaelia. I thought I was being pretty discrete, but she grinned like a shark.

Damn. Women always notice.

Casting one last glance at Zeke's body, I prepared myself for the worst.

The game was beginning.

"So what now?"

The sponsors waved cutely. A clear tube dropped down through the gap in the ceiling.

I was sucked up like a wet noodle through a straw.