Chapter 0: Prologue

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “witch”?

Gloom? Evil? Or perhaps cruelty?

Everyone might give a different answer, but they rarely stray far from a negative image.

The dictionary defines a witch as “a woman who uses magic to bring misfortune or harm to others,” so how different could the answers really be?

Yes, a witch is a “villain.”

In stories, they bring trials to the protagonist, constantly scheming to eliminate him or her.

A terrifying antagonist who stops at nothing to achieve their goals.

Under the tiresome cliché of good triumphing over evil, they pay the price for their sins, a pitiful consumable that brings catharsis to readers at the story’s end.

That’s typically what a witch is.

And I absolutely loved such wicked witches.

I admired how they steadfastly walked their path, undeterred by failure.

Though they used unsavory methods, their struggle to achieve their goals was beautiful.

The moment they expressed regret for not achieving their aims at their end was poignant yet magnificent.

That’s why I loved witches.

They effortlessly did what I, cowardly and lacking confidence, could not.

Even if they were mere fiction, their stories let me forget reality and feel a refreshing sense of catharsis.

So, I devoured any novel or comic featuring a witch like a ravenous mutt.

Chasing that fleeting sense of liberation.

To escape, even briefly, the suffocating reality.

Though I gobbled up anything witch-related, there was one type I couldn’t stomach.

When the witch’s personality was too similar to mine, I usually dropped the story after a few chapters.

Yes, exactly like now.

“It was really fun.”

I’m not saying it lightly—it was genuinely entertaining.

Even though it wasn’t a witch story, I debated from the prologue whether it was a masterpiece.

A hilarious, unhinged worldbuilding, unique characters distinct from generic mass-produced novels.

Even the author’s writing was top-notch, so when the hint of a “witch” appeared, I eagerly awaited each update.

How would this author portray a witch?

A seductive succubus-like witch?

Or a cliché mastermind villain?

Perhaps a dangerous mad scientist type?

I didn’t care which.

As long as it wasn’t like me—cowardly, lacking confidence, pathetic—it would be fine.

But life never goes as planned.

“Why, out of all the personalities, did it have to be a cowardly loser… If it wasn’t for that, I’d have binged it to the end multiple times…”

The author made the witch too similar to me, and every chapter featuring her felt like looking in a mirror, forcing me to drop it.

‘I really enjoyed it so far, Author! Keep up the good work!’

A carefully worded dropout comment.

But as I was about to hit the [Submit Comment] button, a question nagged at me.

Why did it have to be a loner loser witch?

With the ability to create something unique and captivating, why choose this personality?

Curiosity consumed me, so I deleted my comment and typed a question for the author.

[Why did you make the witch a loner loser? Is there a special reason?]

The author, notorious for not replying, would respond to sponsored comments, so I sent one.

Soon, I got a reply.

[Why a loner loser? Well… honestly, there’ve been too many evil, scary witches, haven’t there?]

[While writing, I realized there wasn’t a single character with a pathetic concept, so I thought, ‘Ah, a witch fits this spot perfectly.’]

[It was fun to write, and the readers’ reactions were unanimously great.]

[I think ‘Witch Beatrice’ is a pretty well-crafted character, but is there something you didn’t like?]

…Something I didn’t like?

Of course there is.

Because of your ‘Witch Beatrice,’ I can’t keep reading your novel.

“Sigh.”

I stare at the author’s reply, lost in thought.

Does this mean they’d listen if I voiced my complaints?

Beatrice has been in the story for over 20 chapters.

From her introduction, she declared herself a “pathetic loser,” cementing her charm to readers through a single episode.

A character with a thick, devoted fanbase.

Could my single comment really change such a captivating character?

Desire bubbled up.

If I could just change that personality so similar to mine, maybe I could keep enjoying this fun novel.

But I shook my head, casting off that ugly desire.

No, I can’t stoop to whining.

As much as I hate a loser witch, whining is just as bad, and no matter how much I regret it, I can’t do that.

Hiding my disappointment, I slowly started typing a comment.

[You portrayed the personality so realistically that I have no complaints.]

[But I think it’d be more fun if you added this as a charm point.]

[A witch who seems terrifyingly evil on the outside but is actually a thoughtless, pathetic loser.]

[Since you’re going for unique, how about adding a dash of delusion?]

I was dropping it anyway, but I wrote what I thought would be a genuinely fun setup.

Then, the author suddenly exclaimed, agreeing with my idea.

[Oh! That sounds really good!]

[How about I just rewrite it from the start?]

…What kind of bullsh*t is this?

Before I could type a flustered “Huh?”, the author’s replies flooded in.

[I never thought of that—thanks for the great idea, Reader!]

[I enjoyed writing her, but I did feel Beatrice was a bit lacking.]

[Since it’s come to this, would you, who suggested it first, help me out?]

An ominous proposal.

A creeping unease made me rush to type “No,” but overwhelming fatigue forced my eyes shut first.

When I opened them again, I had become ‘Witch Beatrice.’

…F*ck.