After breakfast, Butler Adrian stood near the dining hall entrance with a dark wooden clipboard in hand.
"I have prepared tasks for each of you," he said with a courteous smile. "The estate requires daily maintenance, and I believe you are all capable."
He swept his eyes across the group. His voice was slow and deliberate as he called out names and assignments:
"Qin Yan, you will act as the young master's personal security."
Qin Yan stepped forward silently and stood beside me. I gave him a slight nod.
"Lin Qiao, the greenhouse needs tending. The plants are sensitive."
"Jiang Che, take care of the stables. Cleaning, feeding, and grooming the horses."
"Ji Ran, head to the training grounds. Maintain the equipment and check the surveillance systems."
"Liu Zehao, the east hallway floorboards have lifted. Repair them."
"Wang Yifan, system control room. Inspect and reboot the internal network."
"Gu Wenqiang, go to the west wing archives and organise the financial ledgers."
"Song Yao, report to the kitchen and assist with dinner preparations."
"Xing Wang, laundry room. Sort and fold linens and fabrics."
Then he looked at me.
"And you, young master, have no tasks. This is your home. You need only enjoy yourself."
I said nothing, only offered a slight nod.
The butler smiled, then added with a subtle shift in tone,
"Please remember, our staff are quite friendly only during the day."
He paused, eyes drifting toward the shadowed stairway leading to the second floor.
"The lady of the house values silence. Her quarters are not to be disturbed."
Everyone nodded nervously.
As they stood to leave and head for their assignments, a sudden buzz from the phone rippled through the room.
I looked down.
The screen had lit up with an interface I had never seen before.
[Identity Confirmed: NPC]
[Items Acquired: None]
[Your Rank: S-Class]
[Clearance Objective: Discover the Truth]
My pupils contracted. A cold chill crept through my fingertips.
I wasn't a player.
I was an NPC.