I Became a Popular Character to Save the World

[Complete and ready to binge] Fuguang received an early-access bonus pack for the hit game Tales of Calamity: transmigrate into the game world, become the game's most popular character, and be granted a new life. In plain language, how long you live depends on how many popularity points you have. The little System orb smugly explained that, based on the profile of the Host selected this time, a Host with such a terrifyingly low life force would never refuse! And yet... “No need.” The little System orb froze, unable to believe its ears. Its light dimmed as it prepared to ask why, when a finger gently touched it. “I don't need any of that. Let's revise the contract.” Fuguang's brows and eyes curved into a smile, and the feathers by his ears fanned out. “I'll become the game's most popular character, and all the ‘popularity points’ I earn will go toward nourishing the land of the Nine Domains.” [I am a traveler who lost my way, and I am also one returning home.] [Everything is for the Nine Domains.] Tales of Calamity was one of the rare games that became a massive hit during its early-access period. Countless people were waiting for its official release. Even the tiny glimpse revealed during early access was enough to make it a worldwide sensation: stunning visuals, a gripping story, polished combat, and a vast open world with an extraordinary degree of freedom. * In the age when the [White Calamity] descended, the [Fey] and [Others] fought the tide of calamity, while the deities of the [Origin Palace] gave their lives to protect all living beings, becoming the Nine Domains' last line of defense. ---[Welcome to the Nine Domains, O Pactbound.]--- As the main cast explored the world and the game developers released more information, one resolute figure after another appeared before the players. A girl who was all lies, greed, and selfishness stood in front of everyone when calamity struck, holding the line alone. A usurper full of schemes personally shattered the people's chains, setting alight the last of his loyal blood. A powerful aristocrat who had once rushed toward death gave everything without hesitation the moment his desire to live was reignited. So many people passed through the story, but the one no one could ever forget... was undoubtedly that figure. He carried the snowy colors of winter, yet shone warmer and brighter than anything else. He had endured betrayal and was stained with blood, yet remained gentle. The blazing warmth after the ice broke was a brilliance too bright to look at directly. And so, when the end arrived, snow suddenly began to fall from the sky. In the eyes of the [players] gazing upward, blazing flames were reflected. “Go forward, everyone.” The bright sun rose slowly, setting three blood moons ablaze. “The age of the Nine Domains has arrived.” [Nooo, what?! My Fuguang!!] [Hasn't Fuguang suffered enough?! Someone save him!!] [My Vermilion Bird, my marshal, my pavilion master, my Dongjun!!!] [My little bird, why are you so selfless?!] [Heavens, I thought he was just an ordinary SSR character. Who knew... sob sob sob] [The age of the Nine Domains has arrived!! (trying not to cry, shouting loudly)] [Well said, the age of the Nine Domains has arrived! Let's wipe out the calamity!! (through gritted teeth)] Reader's guide: 1. This is a fictional world, so please don't draw parallels with reality. The author's worldbuilding is MAX. The author's notes will occasionally include entries explaining the worldbuilding, character anecdotes, and forum discussions. 2. The male lead is from the Nine Domains and loves them dearly, in the broadest sense. He loves their mountains and rivers, their culture and heritage, and everything about them, because they're his home. 3. Includes game PVs, CGs, and version story releases, with comments. There are also forums, mainly for discussing the story from the players' perspective. (They appear infrequently.) 4. The Nine Domains are home to humans and Fey, but they are all referred to as people (important). [Fey] is a broad term here, encompassing elves, merfolk, foxfolk, vampires, and so on. 5. Haven't figured this part out yet. To be added. --Here's a coming-soon story :D [Coming-soon blurb], "Who Says Pink Hair Means They're Secretly Evil?" Why can't someone be pure through and through? * Chu Zhibai is a hugely popular character in Orange Cat Scoundrel's latest work, The Silver Heir. The moment he appeared, his astonishingly handsome looks and overwhelming strength won countless fans. At the same time, his iconic pink hair made countless readers suspicious. [Is Chu Zhibai secretly evil?] [Everyone knows pink-haired characters look innocent, but they're all secretly evil underneath.] [Hahaha, I can't wait for my Zhibai to reveal his true colors!!] It wasn't just the manga readers who suspected him. Even the manga's main cast thought he must have an ulterior motive. Everyone's suspicions came to an end only on the day the sky was drenched in blood. “Don't cry.” The scarlet setting sun was sinking. A faint, tender smile appeared on the pale face of the person before them. “I sincerely wish that... all of you get what you wish for.” The next second, he plunged into the deep sea as the main cast desperately chased after him. His beautiful pink hair traced a blood-red rainbow across the sky. The day the manga update came out, everyone went crazy. They couldn't believe it. They'd never imagined Chu Zhibai would be a truly pure-hearted character. But sadly... Once you've cut someone open, you can't put them back together. * After returning to his original body, Chu Zhibai opened his eyes in the Tower of Curses. The System wept by his ear, and excruciating pain wrapped around his entire body. He slowly blinked, peering through a narrow crack in the tower at the blue sky, mountains, and seas outside. The world outside was so wonderful. So beautiful, so full of life, so breathtaking. He loved everything, from plants and animals to the humans outside. But... “...It seems like everyone dislikes me.” Chu Zhibai lowered his eyes. “Is this the curse?” [Host!!] The System panicked. [Don't think that! Everyone likes you! The manga readers do too. They all miss you so much!!] But Chu Zhibai no longer believed it. He didn't want to read the manga again, but he still put on a mask and cloak and quietly slipped out of his prison tower. Even if no one likes me, I still want to save this innocent, beautiful world. If I hide everything about myself, I won't have to face everyone's hatred, right? * A few months later, a new character in The Silver Heir caused an uproar. [Seriously, what's the deal with this new character? Trying to cash in on my Zhibai's popularity? Zhibai's already suffered enough.] [Get lost, everyone else!! Leave Zhibai alone! What are you doing, Scoundrel?!] [Do you think we're blind? You think we won't recognize him just because he's wearing a cloak? We could tell from the color pages that this masked guy has pink hair too! What the hell?!] [Don't use Chu Zhibai as a stepping stone to promote someone else!! Scoundrel, I'm going to kill you!] [I'd rather jump off a cliff! I'd rather die out there! I'm never settling for a knockoff!!] [Holy crap, I love him now.] Theme: Strive toward a bright future.