"If this thing works like the manhwa Novel Extra, then I must have replaced Jeff's existence with Wirt"
Wirt continued exploring the options on his computer before finally reading the unread notification.
[ if you're reading this, then you've finally made it ]
Wirt immediately tried to respond to the message, but without success.
It seems to work in a one-way manner.
He just let out a sigh of frustration before continuing to read the message from the anonymous author.
[ I'm not telling you anything new, you're in Gravity Falls... or at least, one of its many doomed timelines ]
This news immediately made Wirt frown.
Why this reaction?
There's an important thing to understand about the Gravity Falls universe.
Bill Cipher always wins except in a single timeline.
Unfortunately, Wirt drew the short straw here.
"Hehe, I'm potentially screwed"
If he does nothing, he'll surely end up as another piece of Bill's throne during his pseudo-apocalypse.
A fate worse than death.
This pushed him to let out a nervous laugh.
[ you had placed in this timeline a soul from Earth in Dipper Pines' body and that's still the case ]
'Finally, some good news'
Nothing has changed in the beginning plot of this fanfic that he carefully crafted.
Wirt gained confidence reading this information, but the next words depressed him again.
[ however, I've made certain tweaks here and there. So, I advise you to investigate and use your skills to avoid unpleasant surprises ]
[ well, I'll leave you now and I hope you can create a good Gravity Falls fanfic!! ]
If he hadn't needed the PC so badly, Wirt would have potentially broken it by now.
"Sigh, there's no use crying over spilled milk... I'll have to play the role of co-author"
It was a temporary decision, but a necessary one.
Wirt needed an objective, a purpose that could serve as a lifeline to keep from drowning in despair or anger.
He's literally in a world destined for destruction with a psychopathic protagonist that he wrote out of boredom.
His only power was this PC.
'He did mention skills, didn't he?'
He opened the latest notifications but learned nothing important... except for obtaining 1000 system points for exploring all the PC options.
Wirt didn't think long about the points and immediately went to check the skills tab.
[Name: Born Leader (rank B+)]
[Level: -]
[Description: You were born to lead your race. Naturally, you've developed this aptitude as a passive skill, always active.]
[Effect: Rapid increase of the hidden statistic "Charisma".]
[Name: Forest Affinities (rank C+)]
[Description: You are a gnome, a child of nature, a creature of the forest. Your affinity with animals and plants is high.]
[Effect: Increases the favorability of forest creatures toward you and gives you an innate survival instinct in natural environments.]
[Name: Co-author (rank: Unknown)]
[Level: -]
[Description: You are the origin of the current state of this world — even if you're not the true creator. Alas, you've degenerated from your role as main author to that of co-author.]
[Effect: Ability to alter the story using system points, which can be obtained by actively participating in the plot development]
[Warning: The power to modify the story works much less effectively outside this universe.]
"I understand better now... The 1000 system points must be used to modify the story itself."
Wirt briefly thought about using this ability to give Dipper complete control of his body again... but he rejected this idea.
He couldn't afford to leave Dipper with Vegapunk's abilities.
He needed to purely and simply annihilate this side of him... the one he himself had created.
'Let's now take a look at the active skills.'
[Name: Book of Truth (rank: Unknown)]
[Level: 1]
[Description: You were the author... but you lost your supreme authority. Despite this, you remain a superior entity.]
[Effect: You can know everything... with enough mana.]
[Name: Observer (rank: Unknown)]
Level: 1
[Description: You didn't originally create this world, but you shaped this version among the infinities of existing timelines.
You've seen everything... and will continue to see things for what they truly are.]
[Effect: You cannot be deceived by illusions or any other ability affecting your senses or mind.]
[Name: Reading from an Omniscient Viewpoint (rank: Unknown)]
[Level: 1]
[Description: You were the author who altered this timeline. Despite your current degenerated state, you remain a superior entity capable of observing the true essence of things.]
[Effect: You can read any information about anything... with enough mana.]
"Finally, I think I have a chance of survival"
According to the PC or system, he can obtain system points (SP) to use the passive skill "co-author" and modify the story (his reality).
For example, if Wirt wants to improve or modify a skill, he can — provided he has enough points.
This seems overpowered, but there's a crucial condition.
'I can only get system points by impacting the story.'
Thus, the former author of the fanfiction is forced to actively participate and interact with the characters of this universe.
"That bastard... He really wants me to play my role in his story."
He who thought he had a choice... He never really had one.
After a few seconds of inactivity or reflection, he decided to leave the forest first.
Wirt didn't want to use his system points at first, but he quickly noticed a small problem while observing his surroundings.
He was in the middle of the Gravity Falls forest, without any real means of defense.
According to Jeff's memories, he should be about three hours' walk from the Mystery Shack and the town, but going there without offensive capability didn't seem like a very wise decision.
The Gravity Falls forest was neither cute nor welcoming, and Jeff's memories only confirmed this reality.
However, Wirt didn't want to use his points out of simple desperation or under the effect of a temporary constraint.
As he was thinking about a way to leave without wasting too many system points, he suddenly remembered a peculiarity of the gnome race.
He whistled, and very loudly.
....
"Come on guys, we're close to the destination."
Yes, Wirt had summoned the forest gnomes for an entirely personal use.
"Yes, boss!!!"
In the Gravity Falls series, Wirt remembered that some gnomes had trouble communicating properly.
Yet, he hadn't encountered any problems of this kind during his interactions with them.
He even had this strange impression of instinctively understanding the intentions of the animals and creatures around him.
He put this thought aside for the moment and continued his way to a clearing not far from the Mystery Shack.
"Thanks guys, see you at training."
The crowd of gnomes that had escorted him dispersed immediately after giving him a simple nod and simple salute.
He thought for a moment.
He hadn't yet met her at the cemetery in this timeline.
Wirt began to devise a plan to catch his former protagonist off guard, and take advantage of it to modify his parameters thanks to the Co-author skill.