Help! I'm the Plot Device: Just Here to Save the Heroes

Jerry vs. Gravity: The Sequel

Dreamer's Note: This chapter features Jerry attempting extreme stunts to escape his upcoming doom in desperation. These scenes are fictional and part of the plot-they are not encouragements of self-harm or risky behavior in real life.

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Yichen's Chamber

Jerry lay flat on his bed, arms and legs sprawled as though nailed down for some unseen punishment. His gaze was locked on the ceiling, empty yet disturbingly intent.

"Host... host, what happened to you?" The system's voice broke the silence.

"I'm thinking," Jerry murmured.

"About what, host?"

"How to die properly."

The system let out a glitch of static that almost sounded like a laugh. "Yeah, of course."

But Jerry didn't answer. The silence deepened, broken only by the cricket-song outside. Slowly, realization filtered through the system's tone. "Wait... you're not serious, are you?"

Jerry sat up straight, face grave. "I'm two hundred percent serious."

The system faltered. Even its mechanical hum seemed hesitant.

"If I die," Jerry continued, "is there a chance I'll leave this world?"

"...Fifty-fifty," the system admitted. "Either you die-die, or you go out. No guarantees."

Jerry smirked bitterly. "If I fail the task, I die anyway-and bring everyone else down with me. Either way, they're already doomed."

The system let out a long sigh, oddly human.

Jerry tilted his head. "Don't you have anything else to say to me?"

After a pause, the voice softened. "...I really hope you can go out too, host."

That almost made him smile. Almost. He pushed himself off the bed, pacing to the window. "The system triggered when I fell from the rooftop, right? That's how I got here. What if something similar happen and it sends me back?"

"As per... certain interpretations of relativity," the system said carefully, "recreating the conditions might be possible. But it's-"

"Good enough," Jerry cut in, hands on his hips, eyes burning with ridiculous confidence. "Alright. I'm going back."

From the roof of a neighboring hall, Yan An lounged with one leg swinging idly, watching the scene unfold. His lips curled in amusement. "What in the world is he doing...?"

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Crown Prince's Study

Across the palace, the Crown Prince's study glowed dim with lamplight. A painting lay stretched across the desk-the one Yichen had drawn at the tavern, "Silent Farewell." Yuanzhou sat unmoving before it, gaze unreadable.

Ran Yi entered, bowing low. "Xiao Dianxia, we traced the cart. It was abandoned at the far west end of the capital. No one inside or nearby. The cart itself is finely made, but the tracks show it carried no load. Likely only the driver was aboard."

Yuanzhou's fingers brushed absently over the paper, his eyes still fixed on the painted pavilion. "So... a murder attempt on Yichen. But who would-"

"Second Prince is reckless, but not hated enough for someone to risk this much trouble," Ran Yi said firmly. "I doubt it's mere palace mischief."

Yuanzhou exhaled through his nose, shoulders tight. Before he could speak, another guard entered, knelt, and presented something to Ran Yi.

"We discovered this while inspecting the cart," the man said.