Translator: Dreamscribe

The Early Access day of Arsilan Saga was fast approaching. With a fully immersive virtual reality game at stake, there was a flurry of discussion not only domestically but also internationally.

A crazy bastard pulling a scam right at the official event.

A money-crazed maniac.

A traitor bringing national disgrace.

Naturally, the prevailing opinion was that Lee Jinwoo was a con artist and a madman, and that Ohsung Electronics was doomed to collapse along with such a lunatic.

As the server opening day neared, the level of criticism intensified.

[Title: Lee Jinwoo, this crazy son of a bitch.]

I'm studying abroad in the U.S., and because of this bastard Lee Jinwoo, our country’s reputation is in the gutter. Kids here are mocking me, asking if I'm going to escape to the virtual reality world.

Fuck...

Korean = Virtual reality game otaku.

Even my professor laughs and asks when I'm heading off to the virtual world. I want to die.

Anonymous1: Hang in there. ㅋㅋㅋ

Anonymous2: I’m in Japan, and it’s the same here. They keep saying "Link Start!" and other bullshit. (TL Note: Reference to SAO)

Anonymous3: Link Start! Take me to virtual reality too! I’ll give you my entire fortune!

Anonymous4: I’m seriously ashamed. What the hell is he thinking?

Anonymous5: It’s probably just some fancy VR. Anyway, it’ll all be exposed soon enough. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Anonymous6: ㅋㅋ. If that Soul Link thing comes out, Lee Jinwoo might get himself hanged.

Anonymous7: I believe. This can’t be real. This is virtual reality too!

Jinwoo glanced through the community reactions with a smirk.

He knew better than anyone that even after seeing the demonstration video, people wouldn't believe it. That’s why he had neatly finished his statement at the Unpack event and stepped back.

But would they still say the same after experiencing it firsthand?

‘As expected, it’s chaos.’

Still far from friendly, but it had become a massive topic.

To call it a global sensation would not be an exaggeration.

Famous figures overseas criticized Jinwoo via social media, and even experts joined televised debate shows. Especially researchers in neuroscience and companies related to BCI continuously escalated their criticism.

The more they did, the more Jinwoo felt reassured.

Limiting the first Early Access batch to 3,000 users was because Arsilan itself also needed time to adapt.

The Starting Village was enormous, and there were also Preparatory Villages, but the people of Arsilan needed to adjust to the players as well. Moreover, both the Soul Gate and the Magic Tower required data to manage large numbers of people effectively.

It could be considered a live trial for expanding the user base.

‘Well then...’

Jinwoo moved from the CEO’s office to Arsilan’s Magic Tower.

He saw mages bustling around.

Magic developers were always busy. That’s what made them Magic developers.

The Magic Tower was in full preparation for the opening. The Magic developers were inspecting the tower’s systems and test-running various underground facilities.

When Jinwoo appeared, everyone greeted him respectfully.

“Everything functioning well?”

“Yes. Theoretically, we can simultaneously create ten thousand physical bodies. Any more than that would require expanding the facilities.”

“The Magic Stone is the issue, I see.”

“Unless we fundamentally solve the Magic Stone issue..., we won’t be able to move forward.”

Jinwoo nodded.

Once Arsilan Saga opened, the Magic developers would be split in real time.

The magic circles that created and transported characters would receive data through the Magic Tower's facilities, but unfortunately, execution still required mages.

To build automated facilities, Magic Stones were essential. Lacking those, manpower was being used to cover the gap.

“And the NPCs..., I mean, the actors?”

“They’re receiving final training in front of the tower. Tia-nim is instructing them personally.”

Jinwoo moved straight to the front of the Magic Tower.

The front area was crowded with people.

Among them were Heina, Baron Hasman, and several others, characters specially selected from Rainsword by Tia.

“Okay! Focus! I’ll now point out what still needs work!”

Tia was holding the setting book and giving out various instructions. She was in charge of selecting people and directing their acting.

Her words swept over the people like a gust of wind.

A talent for commanding and handling people.

The royal blood of a High Elf that had never once blossomed was now manifesting right here!

“Innkeeper Hagod! Your acting is a bit awkward. Be more hearty! And your belly should stick out a bit more..., from today, eat six meals a day.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Thomson, playing the blacksmith! Are you here?”

“Yes! Right here!”

A Dwarf with a thick beard raised his hand.

“Have you memorized all your lines?”

“Of course! Oops, my hand slipped! Haha, the sword broke! The enchantment failed and all the materials disappeared! Wahahaha! Can’t be helped! Try again next time!”

“Next line.”

“Oh dear, could it be that you’re not trying because you’re a scared-y cat? Hahaha! Just kidding!”

Thomson recited his lines skillfully. The key was the mocking, sarcastic intonation.

After finishing the act, Thomson looked at Tia. He had a question.

“Um..., Director. The enchantment success rate is 99%, is it really necessary for it to fail?”

“That’s what makes it immersive! It’s part of the setting too.”

“Is it like some kind of gambling addiction?”

“Exactly!”

“Aha!”

Thomson nodded.

Everyone was dressed similarly to the concept designs made by the Art Team. Originally, Arsilan attire was extremely practical, so there was no sense of flair. That’s why everyone assigned to the Starting Village had to be fully outfitted from head to toe according to the Art Team’s original designs.

Wow! Now this is fantasy!

Seeing them all gathered was like stepping into a fantasy world.

“You’re doing well.”

“You’re here?”

Tia smiled brightly and looked at Jinwoo.

There were about thirty important main NPCs in the village, and about two hundred had roles with dialogue.

For NPCs with simple or background roles, they created realistic Bio Golems and controlled them from the Magic Tower. They couldn’t perform complex movements, but they could manage conversations.

The Heroes are coming!

Everyone gathered here clearly understood the noble task they had taken on. To assist the Heroes and make them fall in love with Arsilan!

To help them settle down in Arsilan!

That was the last hope to save Arsilan.

Though they had gathered with a sense of duty...

“The Adventurer’s Guild seems like it’ll have a lot of work.”

“I’m playing the innkeeper, so I don’t think I’ll be bored!”

“So that means we just need to train those strong rookie types?”

Everyone was excited.

They were having fun.

It was a completely different atmosphere from the days when they lived without motivation, dying off slowly under the shadow of doom.

This was hope, breathing new life into them.

For a brief moment, they could forget about destruction and live a second life. That came as a small salvation even to them.

Tia looked at Jinwoo as if something had come to mind.

“There’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

“We don’t have a knight to play Prince Leon.”

Prince Leon played an extremely important role in the main story.

“Look over there.”

“He looks pretty decent.”

A knight dressed as Prince Leon was visible, awkwardly holding a sword.

“No. According to the setting, he has to be a peerless beauty. He must appear as an incarnation of light, like the personification of the Sword of Light. He’s the central axis of the story, so he can’t be sloppy.”

"Hmm, among the knights who are skilled with swords..."

When Tia first created the setting, it wasn’t this strict, but as materials passed between the development team, the character evolved into that form.

Except for special cases like Heina, most of the knights showed clear signs of having gone through rough places. Even the best-looking knight in Rainsword looked like a crude cosplay when compared to the setting for Prince Leon.

Unlike other NPCs, disguising him was difficult, and casting Illusion Magic wasn't an option either. It had the drawback of continuously consuming magic power, and ultimately it was just an illusion that would give itself away if not constantly controlled. Jinwoo couldn't stay with him all the time.

Make the players fall in love with Arsilan.

Make them willing to fight for Arsilan.

Make them immerse themselves deeply here and come to hate Erosion. At the center of it all was Prince Leon.

Sshk!

“There is a way.”

Tiris appeared with a quiet glide from behind and opened her mouth immediately, as if she had been waiting.

“We can create a body, and Master can enter it. Master may not be a Swordmaster, but you are well-versed in swordsmanship, are you not?”

“Well, that’s true. Hm.”

It was a clear solution.

If Jinwoo became Leon, everything would be resolved.

Jinwoo had planned to observe from behind and adjust the overall direction. But now that he thought about it, it might not be a bad idea to participate directly and give instructions.

Since Tiris was a magician who succeeded him, he could entrust her with assistance and still handle both tasks without issue.

“It’ll also be good for handling unexpected situations.”

“That’s certainly true. Alright. I’ll take the role.”

There were many advantages in doing so.

He could provide players with direct help even before the main story began. And it was also a character that didn’t require a long performance.

Because he was destined to die during the main story.

“Then, shall we make the body?”

“It’s already completed. Please, this way.”

Already done?

Tiris led the way.

Tia followed as well.

When they entered Tiris’s workshop inside the Magic Tower, various dolls were on display.

They weren’t dolls, they were all bodies.

Tia exclaimed in awe.

“Wow! So cute?”

“This is the chibi version of Master. The soft, squishy cheeks are the highlight. If you lick the cheek, it tastes like strawberries.”

“Oh! A masterpiece!”

“As expected of Tia-nim, someone who truly understands. Worthy of noble blood inherited from royalty.”

At Tia’s admiration, Tiris replied proudly.

It was a body that looked like it could open its eyes at any moment, something one could call the pinnacle of art.

Jinwoo let out a sigh.

"I won't be using that one."

“...Tch.”

“The arms are too short, it would be inconvenient to use magic.”

Tiris clicked her tongue in disappointment.

Tia shook her head fiercely at Jinwoo’s words.

“Cuteness is magic too!”

“I designed it so you can snuggle it perfectly in your arms. Tia-nim, let’s quietly wait for the right opportunity.”

At Tiris’s suggestion, Tia’s eyes sparkled and she nodded enthusiastically.

The two stared at Jinwoo intently for a while.

Elves were strange in some way.

They had a tendency to obsess deeply over a single thing. It wasn’t a bad trait, but at times, it could be unsettling.

High Elves..., had it even more intensely.

What exactly was a High Elf?

Was it an elf with a ‘high’ state of mind?

“Here it is.”

When Tiris opened the door to the inner chamber, Leon was visible, seated on a throne. Tia’s eyes widened.

“Wow..., it’s perfect! He’s way more handsome than the Leon I imagined!”

“I made it over the course of a month without rest.”

Pride flowed from Tiris’s voice.

Leon sat on the throne with his eyes closed.

He looked like a work of art.

Jinwoo had many beautiful people around him. Tia and Tiris were also in the realm of peak beauty. Yet, Leon possessed something beyond beauty.

“I have finally reached it. Divine beauty.”

It was Tiris’s incredible obsession.

“From now on, please call me Awakened Tiris.”

No, how could you awaken over something like this?

Jinwoo couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud.

Still, one thing was certain, that Leon could surely lead beginner players.

“But those pieces of gear, they don’t seem ordinary?”

“Yes, I spent all my money to create them. I hired twelve master Dwarves and made it using Helby-nim’s scales. It’s my magnum opus.”

The silver armor worn over pure white clothing looked unnecessarily sacred. The sword leaning against the throne was a magic sword engraved with all kinds of spells. Most of them were related to beautiful effects.

“...Tiris, are you really okay?”

“I have no regrets in this life.”

A smile rose on Tiris’s lips. However, her eyes looked somewhat empty. It was the kind of atmosphere that suggested she had burned herself out completely.

“You can’t die yet. There’s still so much to do.”

“...You’re too realistic.”

Tiris, who had been on the verge of ascension, returned to her usual self.

Then, let’s test it.

Jinwoo sat on the chair beside him and closed his eyes. He immediately exited his body and entered Leon’s body.

Jinwoo, now inside Leon’s body, slowly opened his eyes.

“Wow!”

“As expected....”

His blue eyes, like clear lakes holding the sparkle of gemstones, looked toward Tia and Tiris. Just Jinwoo entering the body was enough to activate it, causing its heart to beat and color to return to its skin.

The atmosphere became even more vivid.

Jinwoo rose to his feet.

The armor, focused only on style, was bulky, but it didn’t hinder his movement.

Rather.

“This is too incredible.”

The body’s specs had drastically increased.

As an Archmage, Jinwoo had handled everything with magic, so he’d never needed a superior body.

Until now, he had only maintained the appearance of his days as the Lord of Rainsword, keeping everything else ordinary. Since his body was constantly destroyed while exploring the Land of Erosion, there was no point in crafting it with great care.

“The bones were made from dragon bones, and the muscles are synthetic fibers melted from Est.”

"It seems there's more to it than just that."

At Tiris’s words, Jinwoo waved his hand.

It gave off a soft glow as if there were individual lighting sources. On top of that, a fragrance lingered in the air, and his voice was exceptionally sweet. It was thanks to the countless magic circles engraved onto the bones.

“I followed the setting exactly.”

At Tiris’s words, Tia checked the setting book. She glanced around and quickly scribbled something down.

...Pretty sure she just added that setting now.

“That’s right. According to the setting! It’s perfect!”

Tia was shameless.

When her eyes met Jinwoo’s, she quickly looked away and whistled. Jinwoo let out a small sigh at their behavior.

“Anyway, this is a character who’ll exit the stage soon if everything goes well. Was it really necessary to go this far?”

The rough scenario was already in place.

Once the first objective was completed, he was supposed to exit the story in a glorious manner, enhancing the immersion.

Prince of Light.

Leon El Hazest.

He was the one who would shine alone in despair, overcome tragedy and fear, and spread hope through his death.

Despite Jinwoo’s words, Tiris and Tia only looked at him with sparkling eyes.

“Strike a pose! Like this!”

“Uh, um?”

When Tia requested a pose, Jinwoo awkwardly struck one. Tia stood next to him and brought up the photo sphere, taking a picture. She looked as excited as someone meeting a celebrity.

Tiris stood in front of Jinwoo and lifted his arm, wrapping it around her body.

“This is the premium seat. Perfect.”

“Ah! Me too!”

“I’ll graciously concede one arm to you."

“Wow!”

Tiris and Tia took dozens of photos and looked extremely satisfied.

‘Ah.’

Jinwoo realized.

So you two just wanted to fangirl?

Judging by their reactions, it really did seem like they just wanted to fangirl.

*****

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