Ch.5Matryoshka

# 5. Matryoshka

‘Cutjukyeora is a female college student?’

A tall figure, seemingly around 168 to 170 centimeters, was looking up at me from an awkwardly seated position. She had beautiful hair that looked like molten gold casually tied back, a pure and innocent beauty dressed in clothes that gave off strong unemployed vibes.

‘Why is she pretty despite all this… No, that’s not important right now. Focus.’

If the woman before me was really Cutjukyeora, then I’d become the person who had dragged a perfectly normal female college student into the Tower. Without any intention to do so!

How on earth am I supposed to explain this?

‘So I checked my achievements with Perkle, and when I opened my eyes, I was kidnapped to another world. Somehow I passed through a tutorial-level gate called the Room of Beginning, and they offered me a special reward? I chose one, and suddenly you got kidnapped too!’

Yeah, right.

My mind was in chaos, so I kept my mouth shut. Cutjukyeora, probably confused as well, remained silent like me.

“Ah.”

“Huh?”

Wow, what a voice.

“Suddenly, something like a message appeared floating in the air.”

“Oh, I, I see.”

Cutjukyeora’s eyes darted left and right before she gave a small nod.

“…You’re the Guild Leader, right?”

“Yeah. And you’re Cutjukyeora, right?”

“Yes. That’s me.”

Confirmation complete. She really was Cutjukyeora.

‘How does a female college student end up with a nickname like Cutjukyeora?’

Anyway, she briefly examined her hair and body, then tilted her head.

“It feels like my real self and my character are mixed together. My blonde hair, my different body… though my height seems similar.”

“Really? What about your face?”

“Haven’t you seen your own face, Leader?”

“Uh… I don’t think I thought about it. I was too preoccupied.”

“I guess we’ll know for sure when we find a mirror.”

This is awkward. Wow. It’s so awkward I can barely make eye contact. By the way, if she saw the message, she must have seen something about the ‘Tower,’ but she’s not asking about it?

“I never thought I’d be doing face-to-face communication when I didn’t even invest in voice chat.”

“…Yeah.”

Really, Cutjukyeora?

The Cutjukyeora who’s practically a package deal with Saeaeks? Really?

“Why are you suddenly speaking so formally?”

“Ah, well. Seeing your face in person, I guess?”

“Oh, is that so? Then I should also speak formally…”

“No, you don’t need to. It’s just me. Yeah.”

So she’s a well-mannered model student in real life who loosens up a bit online.

Cutjukyeora looked around and then stood up with a small groan.

“I think we have a lot to talk about, so shall we start with proper introductions?”

“Introductions?”

“Yes. Just in case. If I ever need to find you, Leader, your nickname…”

“O-kay.”

Stop right there!

I changed the subject.

“Ah, well. I’ll tell you everything I can. But you’re really calm about this?”

“More accurately, I’m pretending to be calm. I still don’t understand everything. Honestly, I’m half thinking this is a dream. And being panicked won’t improve anything anyway.”

Cutjukyeora wiped her hands on her pants and extended one toward me.

“I’ll go first. As you know, my class is Holy Knight, and my nickname is Cutjukyeora. I was ranked 2nd among Holy Knights, but… now that’s gone and I’m level 1. Sigh…”

“Same happened to me.”

“And in real life, I’m 21, a sophomore in college. My name is Seon Seyeon.”

Seon Seyeon.

Pretty name.

“I’m 27, a game-loving office worker who leaves work on time. Name’s Ban Seonghyeon. I’m the Guild Leader of Veritas, and my class is Battle Commander. Class ranking 3rd.”

“Pfft.”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. Feel free to call me by my name or nickname, whatever you prefer.”

“Sure, you too.”

Cutjukyeora was even calmer and more composed than I was. Just from the chat, she and Saeaeks gave off hot-blooded duo vibes, so this felt like a huge disconnect. I wonder if Saeaeks is also a woman? No way. He definitely isn’t.

“Well then, Leader, please tell me first. What’s going on?”

“Well, the situation is…”

I told her everything I’d experienced so far without omission. Cutjukyeora just nodded without interrupting, and only after I finished did she respond.

“So we’re fucked?”

“Yeah, pretty much fucked.”

Wow.

That pronunciation was quite crisp.

“And it seems I’ll be leaving without even experiencing this Room of Beginning. So I won’t get any rewards either.”

‘Wait, that’s what you meant by being fucked?’

Cutjukyeora ruffled her hair and sighed.

“Aren’t you scared about being dragged here? Any resentment toward me?”

“Of course I’m scared. And I feel lost. Resentment… I’m not sure. I’m still busy trying to figure out what’s happening.”

“…Then?”

“I tend not to show it when I’m scared, annoyed, or in pain. Inside, my heart is racing and my legs feel weak, but that’s how it is. Including now. And it’s not like you summoned me on purpose. You were dragged here without explanation too.”

“That’s what I’m saying, but can you really believe me?”

“Yes. At least for now.”

I could only stare at her blankly. How could someone operate on pure rationality? Even if you understand something intellectually, emotions still sway people. Having encountered all sorts of people in the military and workplace, I was amazed and grateful that someone six years younger than me could think and speak so rationally and reasonably.

To have such a person as my first companion, unintentionally. Truly, from head to toe, she’s worthy of being called an S-rank reward.

“Even if you hadn’t called me, based on what you’ve told me and the messages I saw, I would have been brought here eventually. In that case, isn’t it better to team up with you from the start? It’s better for you to have company than be alone, and the same goes for me.”

“I think so too.”

“Right now, I just hope this Tower isn’t so insane that we can’t get through without sacrifices.”

“Even if it is, we have to survive somehow. That’s my responsibility.”

This time, I extended my hand to Cutjukyeora first.

[Party function has been activated.]

[Would you like to invite Cutjukyeora to your party?]

“Even if I end up screwed, I’ll make sure you, who came here because of me, survive and get out.”

“Wow. That’s so reassuring. From a level 1 leader.”

Oh. That sounds more like the Cutjukyeora I know.

“I’m level 3, actually.”

“Wow, impressive.”

Cutjukyeora laughed and took my hand again.

Her smile was really pretty. She could have been angry at me, thrown a fit, or fallen into panic, and it would have been completely understandable. But instead, she smiled and even joked with me. Could she actually be an angel who lost her wings and fell here?

[Cutjukyeora has joined the party.]

“Since we’re in this situation, why not try to summon everyone else too?”

“…What?”

“Since it’s unfair otherwise?”

Was she a devil instead?

**

‘Seyeon. Always smile. At least don’t show irritation or ignore people openly. Just doing that is half the battle.’

‘Seyeon. Excessive expressions aren’t good. Whether it’s anger, fear, pain, or joy. Do you know why humans, despite being animals, don’t seem like animals? Reason. Always think, judge, and act rationally. I’m not telling you to kill your emotions, but to prioritize reason.’

‘Seyeon. Instead of locking yourself in your room with your computer, meet more people.’

‘Seyeon. Remember my friend’s son I mentioned? He’s your age, and I thought you two could…’

‘Seyeon. Always…’

‘Seyeon.’

Seyeon, Seyeon, Seyeon, Seyeon, Seyeon.

If you tell a freshwater fish to live in the vast ocean instead of a cramped place, can a freshwater fish survive in the sea?

In that sense, I’m a freshwater fish. A freshwater fish that prefers small ponds, lakes, and narrow rivers.

Do my parents understand?

That the more they give me unwanted advice, the more I want to escape to a corner. Sure, they’re worried. But maintaining this much is already my limit.

Still, I tried. I agree that giving up without trying isn’t good, even without my parents saying so. So I followed their advice as much as I could because they’re my parents. And logically, much of what they said made sense. But it’s hard. It doesn’t fit. It doesn’t improve.

I was born a freshwater fish, so why are they so desperate to push me into the ocean?

A small room. But the internet, with no spatial constraints. And through it, the new world of games and people.

I can act and speak differently from my usual self without problems.

I can kill as many monsters as I want, however I want, without problems.

The more I invest, the stronger I become.

No one judges my appearance or specs.

I love games, and I feel closer to Saeaeks and the Guild Leader than to Jiyeon from my department, whom I see three or four times a week.

So when I fell into the ‘Tower’ where the Guild Leader was.

Of course I was afraid, but was it strange that I also felt ‘liberation’ and ‘excitement’?

I didn’t tell the Guild Leader that part, afraid he might think I was weird.

‘Actually, I like it. Thank you, Leader.’

Plus, I was the last to join the guild, but I’m the first one in the ‘Tower’?

“Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“Other guilds will come to the Tower too, right?”

“I think so. I don’t know the time ratio between there and here, but even if just one day passes there, several guilds will have succeeded in their trials.”

“Aha!”

This is fun. Yes.

I’m already looking forward to it.

Ah. I almost smiled without realizing. This doesn’t seem like a situation where I should smile. It’s a serious situation. Being calm and composed is OK, but appearing excited would be strange. So let’s not smile. I’ll smile inside.

“Now that we’ve talked everything through, let’s go up.”

“Right. Have you checked everything?”

“Of course. It’s a bit disappointing they don’t give us a sword and shield, but I guess we’ll get them on the next floor?”

“Well, I don’t know about that either.”

“Let’s go.”

The decisive thing about this man, the Guild Leader, is that he doesn’t give off any creepy or lecherous vibes, which makes him so comfortable and familiar. Maybe it’s because I’ve been hearing his voice for over a year?

His face is also quite…

**

[Current location: 1st Floor Neutral Zone.]

As we left the space where Cutjukyeora had joined, our view was filled with what looked like a typical European cityscape. What do they call it, Gothic style? Anyway, we seemed to be on slightly elevated ground, and as I looked around from left to right, something felt familiar. Wondering if it was just me, I glanced at Cutjukyeora, who happened to be looking at me too.

“Edenguard Square.”

As soon as I mentioned the famous landmark I thought I recognized.

“Edenguard Parish.”

Cutjukyeora immediately responded.

“Guardian Knight Statue.”

“Guardian Dragon Statue.”

“Clean and regular districts.”

“Buildings with almost identical appearances.”

“Fortress-like multiple walls.”

“Heavily armed gatekeepers.”

Like the rankers and veterans we were, we quickly exchanged information and reached a conclusion.

“It’s Edenguard, right?”

“Yes. It’s definitely Edenguard.”

Wait, why is Edenguard, the City of Newbies and Knights, here?