episode_0015

I used to think it was a cliché for someone entering virtual reality for the first time to be so amazed by how incredibly real it feels.

But once I became that protagonist, I couldn’t help but be in awe.

How on earth can such a realistic falsehood be created?

Occasionally, I’ve been trapped in remarkably well-crafted fantasy spells, but this… It’s almost as if it’s no longer “virtual” but another reality altogether.

Here, amidst tense background music, conspiracy theories begin.

“Could this actually be a different world?”

Perhaps I’ve crossed over to another world through the Full Dive Device.

The thought sends shivers down my spine.

In reality, the CEO of World Tree may have forcibly transformed one world into a game, and we might be the ones who need to save the people of this world…!

As I entertain such unrealistic delusions, walking along the forest path, I sense movement beside me.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Even if I’m just a level 1 with low stats, it’s still astonishing that I didn’t sense their approach until they were this close.

It was an extremely unfamiliar and unique experience, to say the least.

At the same time, it was a bit suffocating.

Could this be the feeling when one’s once keen hearing becomes muffled, vision grows dim, and even taste and smell become hazy?

A sensation as if one of the sensory organs for detecting movement has fallen silent.

Thud.

With the sound of branches breaking, an orc reveals itself.

Yet, perhaps designed to feel less repulsive to players, it had a somewhat gentler appearance compared to a real orc.

More like… how should I put it? It looked exactly like the orcs in fantasy novels or comics.

Green skin, a towering physique with two more heads than a human, and clad only in leather from the waist down. In one hand, it held a club larger than myself.

Perhaps due to its divergent appearance from reality, the realization that this was not real but within virtual reality struck even harder.

“The first battle in a virtual reality game!”

Excitement surged within me.

Originally, I wasn’t the type to enjoy fighting, but the moment I regarded this as a ‘game,’ it ceased to be a battle and instead transformed into play.

I instinctively reached for my side to draw my sword, only to be taken aback.

“…Oh!”

This was a virtual reality, so there was no way my beloved sword could have made it here.

Ordinarily, when I first spawned, I should have acquired a beginner’s weapon in the novice village…

But due to my overwhelming excitement, I had even forgotten that fact and rushed all the way here.

Upon checking my inventory, I found that all I possessed were the initial funds of 10 gold and 10 silver, along with a single dagger.

Even that, according to the description, was not meant for combat, but rather for processing materials.

It could serve in a pinch during battle, but its performance was not to be relied upon, as explicitly stated.

However, those words resonated with me differently.

“When you have no weapon, fight with this!”

So, this was a weapon! Not for material processing, but a genuine weapon!

Thud. Thud.

An orc began approaching, brandishing a club.

Though I momentarily panicked as I didn’t know how to retrieve items from my inventory, I managed to awkwardly draw the dagger in my right hand, ready for the orc’s charge at any moment.

The level floating above the orc’s head read 10. A formidable opponent for someone still at level 1!

Forgetting even a beginner’s weapon was nearly a disaster for me.

Yet, consider this: When have I ever had an advantageous fight?

Whether it was slaughtering the Empire’s filthy hounds or hunting down the bandits who massacred people, I have never once had a favorable fight.

We, the Twilight Brigade, always leapt into unfavorable battlefields.

Boom!

The orc vigorously swung the club diagonally, from upper left to lower right.

Avoiding it wasn’t difficult. When facing a long-reaching weapon like a club, it was better to move inward.

A trace amount of magic power stored within my heart instantly spread through my legs.

It wasn’t just about releasing it randomly; efficiency was crucial.

Thigh muscles, knees, calf muscles, ankles, and finally, the blood vessels in the soles of my feet.

Crash!

Magic bursts forth, propelling the body forward.

In an instant, the center of the body wavered and staggered.

It’s the overwhelming efficiency of high-level magic usage that the feeble body cannot withstand.

But it doesn’t matter. I have a tail.

What do you think is the significance of having a tail?

Is it to look cute when running?

To express emotions and interact with others?

None of these are entirely wrong.

However, the most important role of the tail lies in maintaining the “center of gravity.”

When walking, running, making sudden turns, or climbing a tree, the role of the tail becomes significantly important.

Swiftly!

As the tail spins vigorously, the body twists accordingly.

The two feet scrape the ground forcefully like a drift, slowing down the speed.

In an instant, I successfully plunge toward the orc’s side.

The most vulnerable part of a person wielding a weapon is none other than the arm wielding the weapon.

Since the arm that should be defending is already occupied with wielding the weapon, it often easily allows attacks.

Sukaaak!

With the force that twists the body, the dagger swiftly slashes through the orc’s armpit.

The vivid sensation seems to transmit through the hand holding the dagger as if it were real.

“Kwaaaaaah!”

The roar of the orc shakes the forest. It’s not a roar due to pain, but rather a roar intended to instill fear in the enemy.

The greatest characteristic of orcs lies in their overwhelming regenerative ability, so they do not fear injuries.

What they fear is not being given the chance to regenerate. Therefore, the recent roar was meant to intimidate the enemy into retreating, but…

From my perspective, fully understanding the nature of orcs, there was no reason for me to retreat.

There’s an old saying.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.

And a roar for a roar.

“Kraaaah!”

Uttering a valiant roar, I firmly grip the dagger.

Then, I indiscriminately slash at the orc’s side!

“Kkuwong!”

The orc grimaces in agony, attempting to retreat. Randomly swinging a club is futile.

But what has diminished are only my physical abilities and magical power.

My inherent reaction speed and composure have not been reduced to that of an ordinary person.

“Hueup.”

Breathing quietly, I cautiously observe and approach, evading each step. If I keep inflicting only minor damage like this, it’ll take forever to kill, so I aim for a chance to deliver a fatal blow.

In Seo-eo, the weakness system is applied to every monster. And humanoid monsters generally have weaknesses such as the heart, head, and neck.

However, with feeble magic and a small dagger for grooming, piercing the heart or splitting the head is impossible.

So naturally, my target becomes the neck.

“Meow.”

As the orc, swinging a club, starts to tire, I exhale the breath I’ve been holding.

Thwack! I kick the ground and leap forward. Then, with all my might, I thrust towards the orc’s neck!

Just as the dagger in my hand is about to pierce the orc’s neck…

Thunk!

A thrown dagger impales my side.

“Ugh!”

My HP rapidly diminishes in an instant. Dizzy, I slump to the ground, powerless.

“What? Were there other monsters around?”

If a monster capable of throwing a dagger… a goblin?

But contrary to my expectations, what I see in the direction from which the dagger came is the figure of a woman.

“No way…!”

She’s trying to steal my hunting ground!

Attempting to seize a hunting ground already in use by someone else is considered a serious offense among gamers.

The epitome of rudeness! Worse than a trolling newbie!

Rage wells up within me.

It’s been years since I played this game, and she dares to interfere?

“I cannot forgive this.”

After the orc, she’s my next target.

Pulling out the dagger embedded in my side, I reveal a combat dagger, clearly different from the grooming dagger I’ve been using.

Even if it causes excessive bleeding, my HP is steadily decreasing, but it doesn’t matter.

Before that, I need to kill the orc. Killing it will fill up my HP and MP.

To finish off the injured orc, it raises the club high with both hands.

“As expected of an orc.”

Low intelligence.

To expose its body so vulnerably like this.

I swiftly hurl the grooming dagger. Propelled by a bit of magic, the dagger shoots into the orc’s eye.

“Squaaaagh!”

There’s no time to hesitate. I immediately thrust the ground and launch myself forward. Gripping the combat dagger embedded in my side, a warning sound blares as I grasp it tightly.

[This is a weapon exclusive for level 40 or higher.]

[Due to insufficient level, the weapon’s performance is reduced.]

Ignoring this, I pour magic into the dagger.

Though it’s only level 1 magic, channeling all of it makes its power undeniable.

“Haaah!”

I forcefully drive the blade towards the orc’s throat.

Simultaneously, my vision is engulfed in ash-gray.

Before killing the orc, my HP had reached rock bottom due to bleeding…

[HP has reached 0.]

[GAME OVER!]

[Beginner’s Protection Zone. Resurrection is possible without penalty.]

[Would you like to resurrect at the temple?]

* * *

“Huh…”

Han Sua was bewildered.

She had intended to help the newbie who seemed to be in danger…

-You killed him, you killed him, you killed him, you killed him

-You’re the one who killed him

-Hahaha

-Han Sua controversy, killing a level 1 newbie in Seo-eo…

-Yeah, why did you come out as a rogue when you can’t even do well as a wizard? Hahaha

-You killed him!!!

Perplexed, Han Sua, flustered, forced a smile and looked at the camera.

“I-I wonder if they’ll accept an apology at the temple…?”

-Will they accept it?

-Hahaha

-Still, if you don’t want to be reported for bad manners, you should apologize

-Why are you talking like such a loser?

-How about switching to a wizard now?

-Let’s share some items even now

“Oh! Should I? If I give them some useful items and apologize… maybe even offer a bus ride…!”

-What bus with your skills?

-Just give them items and apologize

-But aren’t you a newbie too?

-Give everything you have and go naked… Oh…

ㄴ[Message deleted.]

-But you looked totally like a newbie just now and couldn’t even kill the orc properly

-If you were like them, would you want to play with the person who killed you?

-For real, if Sua hadn’t interfered, we probably would’ve caught it easily

Touched by the viewers’ comments, Han Sua teared up and nodded.

“Yeah… Even if I hadn’t helped, I could’ve caught it soon… but I ended up causing trouble by helping…”

Dejected, Han Sua shuffled towards the temple.