Translator: Dreamscribe

Not only the Beastkin village Lunatie, but FS Games as well, was in a state of emergency. Salvation Headquarters' Director Han Yong-seon and his team were watching the situation from the control room with grave expressions.

They had understood the Death Knight through the information sent from the Erosion Headquarters. However, it had appeared faster than expected.

Arsilan Saga was a finely crafted world that operated intricately. Outcomes varied depending on Quests or players’ actions. It was a virtual reality world shaped through countless interactions between nearly 100,000 players and NPCs, and it was said that a superintelligent AI orchestrated the overall environment.

Major patches to add NPCs or content were done after the server went offline. The changes to Arsilan brought about by the addition of content were astounding. The Salvation Headquarters had already grasped how delicate and sophisticated the world of Arsilan Saga was through their experience.

“What about the scenarios?”

“There are a total of three scenarios sent from the Erosion Headquarters. Among them, the most likely is Scenario C, Lunatie's destruction.”

Han Yong-seon nodded.

The Salvation Headquarters monitored the situation and prepared response measures.

“What about the deceased NPCs... are we processing refunds for paid items used for affinity work?"

"Yes, we've prepared and sent everything as instructed. They're working without any issues."

“Phew.”

They had worked on refund-related matters per the CEO’s directive.

It had originally been planned, but things happened much earlier than expected, which brought some anxiety. Fortunately, it seemed to be applied well, and that brought a sense of relief.

Han Yong-seon briefly stepped into the staff break room and got himself a coffee. The planning team leader came into the break room.

“Director.”

“Yeah.”

The two looked outside through the break room window.

"We'll get protest trucks parked outside, won't we?"

“It’s just a game story. In other online games, all the NPCs die off, wars break out, and that’s how stories progress....”

"A whole city getting destroyed is common. Usually, world-ending level events happen."

“That’s true.”

A brief silence fell.

It’s just a game, so they’ll understand, right?

"But this is the first time with virtual reality..."

"One of our team members was crying."

“Haha....”

It wasn’t laughter out of disbelief.

Even Han Yong-seon thought it was understandable, which made that powerless laughter come out.

“I don’t even know anymore. Protest truck, huh... that’s not something I miss at all.”

FS Games was the game company that had received the most protest trucks in Korea. For some reason, it seemed like that fact wasn’t going to change any time soon. No, maybe an even bigger uproar was on the way?

The game was so excellent that immersion was reaching the level of concern.

“Anyway, at this rate, we’ll probably go with Scenario C.”

“Looks like it.”

It was a scenario where, after Lunatie’s destruction, a chain of calamities would occur. Unless something special happened, that seemed to be the likely outcome.

Players would cry and laugh, completely immersed in Arsilan Saga.

It was clearly a game, but still....

“For now, let’s turn off our phones.”

“Okay.”

The two nodded at each other simultaneously. Jinwoo leisurely advanced toward Lunatie.

There was no need to walk himself.

Clatter! Clatter!

He sat arrogantly on a throne of bones made from Skeletons, and several Skeletons carried that throne toward Lunatie.

The road to Lunatie was well maintained. That was because quite a few players traveled back and forth between Lunatie and Gron.

Numerous Skeletons moved according to Jinwoo’s commands.

All the Skeletons were created using the energy of Erosion infused into the Death Knight’s body through Dark Magic. With the aid of the Magic Tower, there wasn’t anything Jinwoo particularly needed to care about.

Helby’s computational power was proving to be a great help.

‘Let’s see how people are reacting.’

It had been some time since the destruction of Gron Village.

Jinwoo logged into Arsilan Worlds to check the reactions.

Title: What is this. I can only cry.

I used my vacation day today and ran straight to Lunatie, and this kind of notification popped up....

(Information attached)

[Your heart, the one you gave to Naria under Ella’s guidance, has been returned.]

[Naria] Your Heart

Your heart that was directed toward Naria.

That heart has transformed into a gem and now remains by your side. If you use the gem, you will receive back the platinum coins you spent, along with the unexpressed feelings Naria had for you.

Your heart is glowing with a blue light. If you do not use it, the Heart Gem will not be destroyed.

*Your Heart: 107 Platinum Coins

*Naria’s Heart: 17 Platinum Coins

When I checked my inventory, it was in there.

They say you can get the platinum coins back if you use this, but I can’t do it.

Naria’s feelings are embedded in it too...

How am I supposed to use this....

Anonymous1: Wow... they’re calling it a heart.

CatMaster: I put it in a necklace. I couldn’t bring myself to use it.

Anonymous2: Mine’s sky blue. I have 202 coins... Lonta added 23 more. Lonta....

SupremeHeavenlyDemon: I wonder if something will happen later? There’s no reason to make it like this for nothing. Tell me it’s true, please. This is a setup, right?

└MagicBoy: I’m crying. I attached mine to my staff.

KillTheBoss: How do you use a heart! I don’t know anything about that!

This was the hope Jinwoo had prepared.

What would that hope turn into?

There were players who used the Heart Gem, but more players chose not to. Some players began attaching them to rings, necklaces, or weapons to show them off.

No one criticized it as excessive immersion. Maybe it was different on other community sites, but on Arsilan Worlds, that was how it was. Many people had already accepted Arsilan Saga as a new life.

‘Let’s hurry and complete the Quest.’

‘NPCs come first.’

‘They said it’s a multi-story narrative. Then nothing is decided yet!’

‘Everyone, join the Lunatie defense battle!’

‘What about Elvens? Are they clearing the Quest?’

The previously peaceful atmosphere of Arsilan shifted into a sense of urgency. Not only Evanth but other villages also began rushing to clear Quests, and a wave of sentiment to protect NPCs spread.

It would take about four more hours to reach Lunatie. With some free time on his hands, Jinwoo temporarily stepped out of the Death Knight’s body and returned to Earth.

He was in his Research Lab. It was now called the Arsilan Research Lab, and it was equipped with various items including bedding so that there would be no problem even for long-term stays.

“Hm.”

Jinwoo looked at the smartphone on the table. It was face down. He gazed at it blankly for a moment, then gently reached for the back of the smartphone.

Swish!

When he turned on the screen, it was covered in notifications.

[Missed Calls]

Noona 23

Hyung 14

Grandfather 12

[Unread Messages]

Noona 237+

Hyung 184+

Grandfather 72+

Seems like a lot came in, but my eyes are blurry and I can’t see well.

Jinwoo turned his gaze away and pretended not to see.

“...Guess I’ll just have some coffee.”

He placed the phone back on the table as if nothing had happened and made himself some coffee.

Jinwoo had no intention of going home for the time being.

* * *