"…what about your first lead image then? Keeping a maiden captive and starting a revolt?"
Anik didn't respond.
Instead, he abruptly left the room and asked for Akansha."Hey, you. Come with me."He summoned her toward the side building near the horse stables.
Akansha raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"I want to be the king."
"…Aren't you already?" she asked.
"I'm a knight."
"And Ashleen's the princess," she said slowly.
"I need to overthrow her."
"You could just marry her."
"I don't want to marry someone that brain-dead."
"You're not wrong…but don't tell me you actually intend to go against someone like her," Akansha said, half-laughing, half-wary.
"That's right."
"No way. Who are you trying to fool? Pranks don't suit you, Anik."
"If you're not willing to join me, then die."He drew his sword and pointed it at her neck, so close the coldness of the blade bit against her skin.
"You can't be serious."
"I don't want to kill you. You're useful. Especially because of that guy of yours."
"Then go ahead and try."
"Huh?"
"If you're serious, kill me now. Otherwise, cut the act."She closed her eyes, not resisting. She knew she couldn't win against him; better to accept it calmly.
The sword paused. The blade hovered millimeters from her throat.
"You passed," he said, withdrawing it.
"I knew it was a test." She laughed easily. "Next time, choose someone else. It's too obvious with me."
"There won't be a next time. We just needed to make sure you and your partner were reliable."
"Who tested him?"
"He listens to you. He has been for a while."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Come on. She's waiting to explain the plan."
A few minutes earlier.
"…what about your first lead image then? Keeping a maiden captive and starting a revolt?"
"You're such an idiot," Ashleen yawned. "Now I get why your sister couldn't keep a straight face around you."
"…Huh?"
"Nothing, nothing. Tell me your plan."
"I haven't thought that far yet."
"I figured." He shook his head, smiling a little. "Then listen to mine."
"What is it?"
…
Ashleen had already dozed off again, the little kid curled up beside her. Ashleen's hand on kid's back oh head, she probably slept stroking his hair.
"Are you sure she wants to explain the plan?" Akansha whispered, half-laughing.
"Oh, you're back…" Ashleen sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I figured you wouldn't want to be a villain's henchman after all."
"Sidekick of a villain, huh?" Anik chuckled.
"Explain your plan, Anik," Ashleen said.
"You do it."
"I don't wanna. It's your plan."
"You're executing it."
"Still, it's too sloppy."
"You agreed earlier."
"…Just explain it yourself," she muttered.
Anik sighed and turned to Akansha, who looked openly amused."We're going to divide the people into two groups. Half sleep while the other half stands watch, then swap. Trustworthy and suspicious ones both split evenly. If something happens, at least half our force will be ready."
"…That's not a bad plan at all," Akansha said, glancing at the sleepy Ashleen.
"Who do you suspect?" she asked seriously.
Anik hesitated.
"You need to trust me if you want this plan to work," she reminded him.
"There are a few... but especially the healer aunt and your partner."
Akansha frowned. "The healer could have killed you both easily back then. And my partner fought like hell for our sleeping princess."
"I know," Anik said. "That's exactly why they're dangerous. They're powerful enough to be used against us. Your partner's now a sub-general—easy target. And the healer might be an NPC. She doesn't have a companion."
"I don't know if she's an NPC," Akansha mused, "but no companion doesn't prove anything. Besides, wasn't the little kid alone too?"
Anik knew she was right. In truth, he knew far more.This place had been operating for centuries — every decade, new people summoned, the capable ones ascending to become 'higher beings'. If one partner doesn't qualify the other goes ahead alone.
But if he showed too much knowledge, he'd only invite suspicion.
"Guys, guys, stop thinking so hard," Ashleen mumbled.
"We have to think because you aren't doing it," Akansha said, but she was smiling.
"I should thank my savior then…" Ashleen murmured. Suddenly her eyes widened. "Oh my God!"
"What now?" Akansha said, half-worried, half-laughing.
"I forgot to thank you!"
"For what?"
"For saving me during that tiny battle," Ashleen said dramatically.
"You scared the hell out of me!" Akansha yelled, clutching her chest.
"Huh?" Even Anik looked confused.
"Oh my God…" Akansha said, realizing she'd been tricked. "You just wanted to mess with me."
"Can we be serious for a second?" Anik said, exasperated.
Ashleen sat cross-legged, trying to appear serious but clearly still suppressing laughter.
System Message: Sorry to bother everyone, but your arrangements are futile.
"Huh?"
You survived your first scenario. But surviving once doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Survival depends on yourself, not your allies.
It was a public announcement, meant for all players. Still, the timing felt personal.
Your next scenario is about to begin.
"You sound more human this time…" Ashleen muttered under her breath.
In a flash, the "system" — a creature — materialized in front of her with a sly smile.
"So you can hear us? Why did you ignore us last time?" Ashleen asked.
The creature chuckled. "Higher beings, both good and evil, are paying attention to you now. I did a thorough investigation."
He clicked his tongue and disappeared mid-sentence.
"…what did he even mean?" Akansha asked, dazed.
"Feels more and more like living inside a novel," Ashleen said. "If I were reading this before, I probably would've screamed about the main character being so lucky...or cursed her, maybe."
"That's not a past life," Akansha said gently. "We're still ourselves. Only the world has changed."
Akansha could see Ashleen's hidden sadness even without fully reading her. And strangely, Anik could sense it too.But after a lifetime alone, he had no idea how to react.
Suddenly, everything went pitch black.
Anik froze.
Was he blind?
"WT* am I blind now?!" Akansha shouted, frantically waving her hands.
"No," Anik said, straining to assess. He stared, jumbling his hands around to figure out something. What that something is he doesn't know but well as well move your hands for the moment when you can't use your brain.
"Brother!" A small tug on his shirt — the little kid's voice.
"Stay close," Anik said. "I'll figure it out. Hold on if you're scared."
"How did you find him so fast?" Akansha exclaimed. "Is it your power or something?"
He ignored her, focusing.
"Brother should find the bad sister first," the kid said quietly.
At the same time, a system flash hit Anik's vision.
System Message: Your partner's mentality is breaking down. Your power is fluctuating.
Anik's heart stopped for a moment. Only thing he could think of was.. Demon.
Under the flash of the system light, he could barely glimpse Ashleen — still sitting where she'd been — but her form wavered dangerously. He called her name: "Ashleen!"No response.
He tried to walk toward her — one step, then another — but somehow she only grew farther away.
Was he not moving at all?
"This way, bro," the kid said, pulling at his hand.
Anik followed.
Short, slow steps.
The kid guided him until Anik's hand brushed something— Ashleen's shoulder.
"Here she is," the kid whispered, then drifted toward Akansha.
Akansha was stumbling blindly too, confused but following the kid's guidance." Stay back," the kid warned her quietly. "You can't help them."
Akansha gritted her teeth but obeyed. She couldn't do anything — she could barely walk straight. Better to trust them.
Meanwhile, Anik crouched beside Ashleen.
"Ashleen," he whispered, cautious.
He had to bring her back — but if she lashed out like before, a single strike could tear him apart.
And this time…he couldn't afford to let her slip away.