Checkmate: The Erasure

"You brat, dare ruin our fun."

One raised a beer bottle. Autumn blocked me without hesitation. The bottle shattered. Blood streamed down Autumn’s forehead.

Good thing pain is blocked. System, will I be disfigured?

Don’t worry host, I’m here.

Then I’ll go all out! I’ll move the male lead to tears!

"Chase, don’t worry, I’ll save you!"

She pressed her forehead, determined yet fragile. The drunken crowd eyed her hungrily.

"Unless you stay in his place! Although Mr. Whitaker is handsome, I still prefer women."

Autumn looked humiliated, eyes red. After a beat, like she’d made up her mind, she bit her lip:

"As long as you let Chase go, I’m willing to stay!"

"Autumn, shut up! Do you know what they want?! Run, run!"

I rasped, shouting in anger and pain. But I knew, Reyes family’s bodyguards waited outside. Just waiting for the cue, Autumn would signal, and they’d rush in. Princess on a cloud, saving the fallen prince.

Autumn played her role perfectly. Her selfless look would move anyone. She tried to pull me away, but was shoved down. At the last second, Reyes family’s bodyguards burst in.

"Miss! We’re here to save you!"

The bodyguards took care of the thugs.

"Chase, I like you! Liked you since I was little… please accept me, I’ll do anything for you!"

"Anything?" I murmured. The drug hit, my head spinning, body burning.

Autumn bit her lip, nodded, trembling, leaning close.

SYSTEM: Boost my sensitivity, spring is here!

"Ugh…"

I vomited on her. Slept all night.

Next day.

"Heard Mr. Whitaker spent the night at the Reyes house?"

"Tsk tsk, what luck."

"First half of life as Whitaker’s prince, second half as Reyes family’s son-in-law, impressive!"

All the big players knew I was dating Autumn. Who didn’t know it was the Reyes family who killed my parents? Yet now, I was with their daughter. Kept man, ungrateful wolf, marrying into the Reyes family—mockery everywhere.

Overnight, my reputation in my hard-won circle was trashed.

Autumn blushed, apologizing to me. Said I was so drunk she had to take me home. "Accidentally" seen by some people.

I sneered inside. Did I have no home to go to when drunk? But I said nothing, just looked at her, cold and dark.

"Autumn, thanks for helping me out, but I have a girlfriend. And the Whitaker and Reyes families are rivals, your parents won’t agree…"

"Chase, I know you love Savannah, but I heard she’s been in a coma for a long time, may never wake up… can’t you give me a chance?"

I nearly ground my teeth to dust.

"I’m the only daughter of the Reyes family, my parents won’t oppose anything I do. I’m willing to give everything to help the Whitaker family, sacrifice anything for you!"

If Vincent knew his daughter was like this, would he wish he’d had a roast pig instead?

Fine. Very good.

SYSTEM: I’ve lowered myself this much, why is Chase Whitaker still ungrateful, at least start the stand-in plot! No choice, I’ll have to do this.

Autumn’s eyes reddened, head down, lashes trembling.

"And… and last night we already… already…"

She seemed too ashamed to finish. I was speechless.

"Since something happened, I’ll take responsibility."

"But I don’t love you. Know your place."

"I’m only using you as Savannah’s stand-in. Don’t hope for what doesn’t belong to you."

I said exactly what Autumn wanted to hear. Though I knew nothing happened last night.

Autumn looked devastated outside, but inside she was thrilled.

SYSTEM: Heaven, the progress bar finally moved! So what if I’m a stand-in, in the end he’ll realize his true love is me!

Autumn became my unofficial stand-in girlfriend. She could change a lot, but not the male lead’s affection. That was her goal, my leverage. Thank you, character setting, for letting me be a scumbag.

I worked hard by day, visited my white moonlight by night. With Autumn’s support, life was easier. At least I didn’t have to sweat over bank loans. Didn’t have to lose sleep over a cash crunch. My girl’s hospital bills and care were covered.

Guilty? Not a bit. This was Whitaker family money to begin with. I’m just taking back what’s mine.

In some ways, I admired Autumn. Using the system to spy on competitor bids. Staying up all night reading comics, pretending to worry for me. Or, putting takeout in a lunchbox, pretending she cooked it, burning her hand for my sake. Tearing my shirt, then sewing it up in front of me. Thanks again, character setting. Letting me treat Autumn coldly while caring for Savannah.

But to others, I was a total scumbag. Autumn’s friend, Mariah Evans, always had a jab ready. She’d drag me at every public event.

"How’s the taste of handouts tonight, Mr. Whitaker?"

"Eating at home while shopping around—what do you take our Autumn for?"

"Everyone knows you only got back on your feet thanks to Autumn!"

"Without Autumn, the Whitaker family would be toast! With what?"

Yeah, everyone knew I owed Autumn. But Autumn never complained. Made me look even worse.

Who cares? Who the hell cares. I only wanted to save my girl. I wanted Autumn to lose everything and die in misery.

My girlfriend, Savannah Miller, had been in a coma for almost six months. No sign of improvement. I remembered when we were kids, she lived next door. Always followed me, calling me Chase. Back then, Savannah stuttered a little—always "Ch-Chase, Ch-Chase." Made our family laugh.

She stopped stuttering after school, got prettier every year. Boys in her class fought over her. But she only had eyes for me, always chasing me up to higher grades just to give me a piece of candy. She wore pigtails, bright eyes, grinning wide. Later, when I went to college, I’d come back to see her.

"Savannah, your Chase is here again!" The kids would laugh. Her face would turn red as sunset, but she couldn’t hide her smile. Childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates. Nothing was wrong.

But now, everything is wrong.

Savannah’s cousin, Tyler Miller, came back from overseas. He was my most trusted brother. In six months of system chatter, I’d never once heard Tyler’s name. I noticed, when Autumn entered deep sleep, the system auto-slept too. Only then could I move without being watched.

I arranged to meet Tyler at 3 a.m. in the hospital. I bet he wasn’t a main plot character, so they wouldn’t track him. Even if the system noticed, it’d just look like I was visiting my white moonlight and running into a nobody.

As soon as the door opened, Tyler punched me hard.

Fair.

"Chase Whitaker, you bastard! I trusted you with my cousin, you promised to take care of her!"

"Savannah was hit crossing the street, the green light turned three seconds early."

I didn’t waste words.

"My parents didn’t commit suicide either. I never believed that my father, ruthless in business for decades, would die of a heart attack over a setback. My mother wouldn’t hang herself, she couldn’t leave me."

I gently massaged Savannah’s hands. Even with the best nurses and doctors, her pale arms were bruised from IVs.

"What are you saying?" Tyler clenched his fists.

"Tyler, I don’t have time."

"Savannah’s body is failing, she can’t wait."

"I need you to trust me."

"I need your help."

I clawed back Whitaker Corp, fought my way up. Undercut bids, slashed margins, poached deals—every dirty trick in the book. Like a mad dog, biting at every competitor. I was even more ruthless than my father, the legendary Mr. Whitaker. Never left an opponent standing.

Made a lot of enemies, fast. They feared Whitaker, but hated me, plotting to take me down. To keep her mission alive, Autumn had to clean up my messes. Even with the system, for someone with nothing but fluff in her head, it was rough. Autumn had to play loyal dog to boost her affection score. And help me survive the wolves. She was drowning.

Me? Besides working like hell, I only cared for Savannah. Ignored Autumn’s efforts, sometimes even mocked her—on purpose. Autumn soon lost patience.

"Chase, I have a fever, please come see me…"

Autumn whimpered, voice weak.

I said coldly: "Savannah’s not well, I have no time."

"Chase… I feel so bad, please…"

"Did you ever…"

"Even a little, love me?…"

"I don’t think I can go on, Chase, I’m your girlfriend, please, just look at me…"

On the phone, Autumn sobbed. I said nothing. Silence was enough. Neither confirming nor denying. Hope in despair, a sword over Autumn’s head.

SYSTEM: Host, system reminder, 20% affection score has stalled for half a year, if this continues, the task will fail.

I know, so annoying, am I not anxious?? This Chase Whitaker is a workaholic, if I don’t help him build a business empire, he’ll work till he dies, no time for love!

His white moonlight just lies there, her face alone steals his soul, what chance do I have? Should’ve let her die in the car accident!

No, killing her breaks the plot, if the white moonlight dies, I’ll never win.

But don’t worry, host, it’s still under control.

SYSTEM: I’ve considered it, now the male lead depends on you, just doesn’t realize it’s love.

Just wake up his white moonlight, once he sees she’s not as good as you, she’ll be nothing, and you…

I’ll become his one and only! Great! Wake up Savannah!

"Mr. Whitaker, Miss Miller is awake!"

In the office, I snapped my third pen, finally got the news I wanted. But still a step behind. Autumn got to Savannah first.

My girl woke up to a face nearly mirroring hers.

"Great, Miss Miller, you’re finally awake!"

"Chase is busy, asked me to visit you."

"I didn’t know what you liked, so I brought roses, my favorite. Chase always gives me roses too."

Savannah went from dazed to shocked to suffocating. She’s allergic to pollen.

I lost it, stormed in, flung the flowers out the window. Slapped an oxygen mask on Savannah. Eyes red, I held her tight, not letting go.

"Chase, what’s wrong with Savannah…"

Autumn tried to approach, looking all sad.

"Get out! You witch!"

I kicked Autumn to the floor. The sudden rage made her cry instantly. I knew I’d lost my cool. I should have played it cooler. But holding the breathless Savannah, I only wanted to kill Autumn.

"Chase Whitaker!"

Autumn clutched her stomach, glaring at me in disbelief. Face twisted in pain.

Savannah looked at me, confused.

"Chase, what’s going on?"

Both women stared at me. I wanted to tell Savannah everything. I wanted to kill Autumn. But I couldn’t. I had to use the plot and rules to counter the mastermind. I had to wait. Otherwise I’d get Savannah and everyone I care about killed. Like today. With the system, Autumn knew everything about Savannah. Just a pollen allergy could silently kill Savannah. She did it on purpose.

"Chase, I’m your girlfriend, how can you treat me like this!"

Autumn covered her face, sobbing as she ran off. Doctors, nurses, staffers all glared at me. Everyone knew Autumn’s devotion. How could I let her down, why should I?

"Savannah, I’ll explain later."

I squeezed Savannah’s hand, then let go. In her confused gaze, I chased after Autumn. To make it look like I still cared for Autumn. I’m a scumbag, bouncing between old flame and new love.

For four years, I clawed back everything the Whitaker family lost. Made Whitaker a top conglomerate on the East Coast again. Young, handsome, untouchable. Except my love life was a punchline. But no one dared say a word now.

Autumn used points and system hacks to help me again and again. But I was already out of reach. She could get everything, except my love. But to survive, I had to pretend to love her.

Autumn planned my birthday party. She baked a cake. Bought my favorite whiskey. Cooked a feast. Waited from three in the afternoon to midnight. The candles melted down to stubs. The dishes went cold, reheated, cold again—congealed sauce, wax stink in the air. But I never came home.

SYSTEM: Host, Chase Whitaker is with Savannah. She’s celebrating his birthday.

…wait a bit longer…

Four years, affection score stuck at 35%, about to fail. Even if it fails, with leftover points, we can try another world.

I’m not willing! I spent so much effort and points on Chase Whitaker, four years and haven’t slept with him, haven’t made him chase me, leaving now is not fair! I’ll spend all my points to conquer him!

Autumn didn’t get it—the best hunters always look like prey. I already knew the rules.

Autumn slit her wrists. The Reyes family demanded a marriage alliance with Whitaker. Otherwise, they’d pull all business support, short Whitaker stock to the floor.

"Autumn, what trick are you playing now?"

"You’re just a stand-in. The real one is back, so behave."

"The position of Mrs. Whitaker can only be Savannah’s."

I looked at her, cold as ice. Smirked. Walked out.

"Chase Whitaker, please don’t go! If you don’t love me, I’ll die!"

She was weak, pale, desperate, shaking all over. I stopped. Saw a flicker of hope in her eyes.

"Then go die."

The hope vanished. Gone.

SYSTEM: Strategy failed! Strategy failed!

The sharp electronic shriek nearly split my skull. Without looking back, I left. Damn, that felt good.

After the failed mission, Autumn fell ill. And I was nowhere near her.

SYSTEM: Host, we still have a chance! If you can raise the affection score before your soul dissipates, the strategy can be judged successful again. I’ll use the last points to destroy Whitaker, force Chase Whitaker back to zero. Make him realize he can’t live without you.

I want Savannah dead! Without that old flame, I wouldn’t have been abused like this!

No, your death would make Chase Whitaker lose his love, but Savannah must live—her living is her sin.

Damn! Then I want Chase Whitaker bankrupt, crippled by enemies, begging for death in the streets! Let him die in regret for me!

The system was silent, calculating. I played dumb. Inside, I was ecstatic. Utter bastard.

With the system sabotaging, all Whitaker’s business secrets were wide open. Whitaker was a lion, but the jackals refused to submit—only wanted to rip me apart. So many rivals wanted me dead. The system just handed them the knife. Bid prices, auction secrets, stock leaks… I fought in the business world, Autumn took away my weapons. The lion was wounded, over and over. Bloody.

"Chase, why so troubled?" Savannah hugged my waist.

"Nothing, you wouldn’t get it."

"You think I can’t help?"

"You’re still in school, don’t worry about this."

I frowned, pinched the bridge of my nose. Accidentally muttered: "If only Autumn were here."

Savannah stared at me, hurt. After a long pause. A hard slap, tears streaming.

"I knew you couldn’t forget her! Then go to her, why stay with me? I’m just a childhood friend, can’t compete with someone who fell from the sky!"

"Savannah, you know I didn’t mean that."

I rubbed my cheek where she slapped me.

Whitaker’s crisis deepened. After Savannah woke, she heard about Autumn. Thought I’d fallen for someone else, picked fights with me. Couldn’t let go, always clinging to me. I wanted to handle business, she thought I was with Autumn. So I had to stick close, calm her down. Even as the company burned. But even so, our fights got worse. She didn’t understand the pressure. She just wanted to be my princess. If I was off by a hair, she’d cry and pout. I was about to break. I started thinking of Autumn’s good points.

SYSTEM: Host, it’s working, affection score up 20%, now at 55%.

Great, keep at it, speed up my death.

I lost interest in the company. Shareholders rebelled. The barely-stabilized Whitaker Corp teetered again. The system monitored all electronic data, sabotaging at every turn. Then Autumn got stomach cancer. While I was struggling, she was worse off. She burned through points to block the pain. Soon went from radiant to skeletal.

Damn! It’s all Chase Whitaker’s fault! System, why didn’t you tell me cancer hurts so much!

Host, please endure, this is your first failed strategy, death is necessary punishment. But I’ll avenge you.

Heh. Avenge? Please.

Savannah and I drifted into a cold war. In a do-or-die investment for Whitaker Corp, a mysterious S appeared. Whitaker lost everything. Though S was the winner—not quite the system’s plan—the result was the same. The system ran out of points. Everything went their way. Except in an alley, I got saved from a beating by the cops. My legs were spared. Almost over.

Autumn died of illness. I never visited her once before she died. At the funeral, her friend beat and cursed me. Called me scum, Autumn’s murderer. I bled like a stuck pig.

Autumn’s soul floated. Seeing me hurt, she nearly cheered.

Hmph! Serves that bastard right for not loving me! My mission failed, he deserves a beating!

See, everyone knows he wronged me, how can his conscience rest!

Even if that white moonlight Savannah is alive, so what! How can the living beat the dead? I’m his true love! System, right?

Right, host, once the male lead realizes his feelings, repents, dumps Savannah and follows you, your mission is complete.

This is the most annoying world, four years and no progress, I wonder if I picked the wrong male lead.

Not all lost, at least now you’re Mrs. Whitaker in everyone’s eyes—even in death, you’re the real one, his childhood sweetheart will be scorned forever!

We spent all our points, faked death, turned the male lead dark. Scum like him deserves to lose love!

But I remind you, host, if he still doesn’t love you, you and I will be erased.

I saw Autumn shiver.

Deserves to lose love?

"Hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha…"

I laughed like a maniac at the funeral. Laughed till I couldn’t breathe. Laughed till my eyes watered. To everyone else, I looked crazy for love. Lost everything—better off dead.

Until I handed Mariah Evans an invitation.

"Chase Whitaker! You’re getting married?!"

Mariah shrieked, voice trembling.

What?!

Impossible!!

Autumn and the system both glitched.

Luxury cars in a row. Thousands of velvet flowers. Chapel, red carpet, crystal chandeliers. My girl in a pure white wedding dress.

No way, how could this happen! System, didn’t you say Chase Whitaker would love me!

Autumn’s soul raged, collapsing. Her form flickered, almost gone.

Impossible, nothing was wrong! We followed the plan! I’m data, I can’t be wrong!

System panicked too.

The progress bar was at 70%, above 85% he should die for you, how could this happen!

Autumn just finished when she saw in horror, the affection meter nosedive. 70%—50%. 20%. 10%. 0.

"You mean this meter?"

I smiled.

[ SYSTEM ERROR ]

Autumn and the system were too shocked to move.

"What affection meter? I was just playing you."

I looked right at Autumn’s soul, gave her a cold smile. I held Savannah’s hand. Tyler officiated our wedding. Childhood sweethearts, perfect match.

You can see me!! When did you know? When I helped with your company? Or when I saved you at the club? Or…

Autumn trembled, even her cheeks twitching.

Didn’t you hate Savannah? Weren’t you two fighting? When you were drunk, you called my name!!

You hugged my clothes and cried for me, you went crazy when I died!

You lost sleep at night, weren’t you thinking of me?

You didn’t fight back when blamed and beaten, just to attend my funeral

So… you were acting?! You lied to me from the start!!

Why?!

I only answered Savannah:

"I do."

"Do you take him as your husband, for better or worse…"

"I do."

Savannah smiled, gentle as spring.

Autumn could look like Savannah, but she’d never be Savannah. So she didn’t get it. Childhood sweethearts don’t lose to someone who just dropped in.

I heard two voices. Savannah softly declared her love. Autumn screamed as she was erased.

Chase Whitaker, did you ever, even once, have feelings for me?

She screamed in despair. That pain—a strategist like her had never felt.

"No, Autumn, I never loved you, not even for a second. Every moment, I wished you’d disappear."

I smiled. Easy.

Savannah saw me talking to thin air, but didn’t flinch. Just squeezed my hand tighter. Warm, gentle, steady.

We may have failed, but the Whitaker family is ruined, do you think your little wife will stay poor with you forever?

The system’s last, desperate jab.

"With billions in assets, how could I let Savannah suffer?"

I laughed, free as ever.

Autumn was erased. The system fell silent. They never figured out—not only did the Whitaker family survive, but we swallowed up our rivals, multiplied our value. The mysterious S who "destroyed" Whitaker was Tyler. What they thought was a side character was my ace.

All our electronic data was compromised, so I went analog. Dictated everything to Tyler on paper. Used Tyler as my knife, had him take out my enemies. We staged the Whitaker family’s downfall together. Fooled the system. Let them think Whitaker was toast, that I was done.

When Savannah first woke, I left her behind. That time I chased Autumn, I slipped a note into Savannah’s hand. With just that note, she trusted me completely. If I needed her to fight, she fought; if I needed her to leave, she left. Never asked why.

Only then did Autumn think she’d won. Willingly died. This was a dimensional war. Autumn and the system were like gods, toying with mortals. She destroyed my family, killed my parents, put my love in a coma. All for some affection meter and a strategy task. She never knew—I never loved her. From start to finish, it was a mind-reading counterattack. Luckily, I won.

With a grand wedding to my white moonlight, I salute this filthy gamer.

He rode a red wagon, playing with green apples around the porch. Living together in Maple Heights, two little kids with no doubts between them.

With Tyler’s blessing as witness, Savannah and I embraced and kissed. My girl finally smiled at me. Childhood sweethearts never lose to those who fall from the sky.

(The End)