Kairiki: Before the Nightmare

Level 24: An Interview of "Fictional" Characters

[MONTHS LATER, NOVEMBER 28, 2025]

[The sun hung lazily in the afternoon sky, casting a warm, golden light over Sogonna Island. The breeze carried the scent of the ocean, mingling with the aroma of fresh grass from the nearby park. Hydro, perched on the edge of a tall building, had a book in hand, his legs dangling over the side. From his vantage point, the island seemed peaceful, the waves gently lapping against the shore in the distance. Despite the tranquility of the day, Hydro's mind wandered. He had been reading for hours, but something felt off. His usual excitement for books had faded.]

[He flipped through the pages of another novel, but none of the words seemed to stick.]

HYDRO: [sighs, frustrated] I need something different.

[Closing the book, he tossed it aside and reached for a different one-the cover read "Solo Leveling." The book wasn't from this world, and it wasn't supposed to exist here. But somehow, Hydro had managed to bring it with him. As he turned the pages, the familiar story sparked a small flicker of interest. The battles, the rise of the main character-it reminded him of his own journey.]

HYDRO: [muttering to himself while reading] What if I became a God of Death, though? Not the protagonist, but someone who just watches everything...

[Hydro took a bite from a sandwich he'd been munching on, talking through a mouthful of food. His voice was muffled, but his thoughts were clear. After swallowing, he wiped his face, his gaze shifting from the book to the sky.]

HYDRO: [reflective, thoughtful] The Mitchells... I've been working with them more often, but I want to walk my own path. Something more original. I don't want to be that guy who boasts about his power. What's the point of showing off?

[He glanced down at a piece of paper he had been doodling on earlier. The sketch depicted a hero with exaggerated muscles, punching a monster aloft in a dramatic pose. Beneath it, Hydro had written: 'A hero that boasts too much.']

HYDRO: [amused, half-smiling] Look at this guy... probably one of those self-insert characters. You know, the type who always has everything going for them. Reminds me of Kirito from Sword Art Online. The guy's basically a self-insert...

[Hydro paused for a moment, his mind beginning to analyze the concept more deeply.]

HYDRO: [curious, analyzing] Alright, let's break this down. What makes self-insert characters either good or bad? Mathematically speaking, you've got to consider variables. Say a character's relatability is 'R,' and their personal development is 'D.' If you max out relatability without giving room for flaws, the character becomes boring. In other words, R + D = C, where 'C' is the character's complexity.