Ch.6Information

# 6. Information

Edengard.

According to the game lore, it was a land declared long ago by true knights who gathered to protect their utopia, never yielding to any external pressure or hardship.

In the game, it was a city filled with quests for beginners and, befitting its setting as a city built by knights, it specialized in melee DPS and tank classes. For example, weapons available for purchase or crafting, or class-specific quests.

Since I was also a melee class, and KillThemAll was a tank class, we must have visited there quite often without realizing it. We even conducted direct interviews in Edengard Square when recruiting raid members. Plus, the city was beautiful with great background music, so I often hung out there.

While it was nice to see the familiar Edengard appear in the mysterious area called “The Tower,” if someone asked whether this Edengard would be exactly the same as the original one, I couldn’t answer hastily.

“I thought they said this was the neutral zone on the first floor of the Tower.”

“Well… how about we go inside the city first?”

“That’s what we should do. Let’s also keep an eye on any messages, just in case.”

Edengard was visually a closed yet planned city. There were no satellite cities or villages outside its fortress-like walls. This meant that to assess the current situation, we had to enter the city regardless of whether we liked it or not.

“Everything for utopia.

They built walls to protect, and conversely, did not allow existence outside the walls. If the city became oversaturated, they built new walls. That is why Edengard became a city with multiple walls.”

I navigated between memories and confusion in this game city where the game settings were perfectly integrated.

Soon, the gatekeepers guarding one of the gates came into view.

“KillThemAll.”

“This feels strange somehow.”

“Huh? What does?”

“Oh, no, it’s just being called that when we’re not even in a raid. And hearing it directly with my ears instead of through earphones. Hahaha.”

At KillThemAll’s words, I briefly imagined myself as a third party.

Witnessing a situation where a man suddenly says “KillThemAll” to a woman accompanying him.

Or witnessing a situation where a woman suddenly says “JoanOfArcIsASaint” to a man accompanying her.

‘Ugh.’

From what I’ve heard about game meetups or community gatherings, it’s natural to call each other by nicknames unless you become personally close through separate socializing.

Whether it was because of our special situation, or because the nicknames were a bit awkward, or because we were physically close, once I became conscious of it, it felt extremely awkward.

“…Miss Seon?”

Ah.

This is awkward. So awkward.

When was the last time I called a woman by her name?

“Pfft! Ah, ah! I wasn’t trying to correct you. Like I said before, Captain, you can call me whatever makes you comfortable. Anyway, what is it?”

“…I was going to ask if you remember when you first entered Edengard.”

“Of course I remember! I’m not a cutscene-skipper. I remember most things, if not everything. Ah, EtiquetteMaster might remember everything though.”

Indeed, EtiquetteMaster, who was calm, collected, intelligent, and had a good memory even just through chat, might know more game information than I did. If EtiquetteMaster joined us, I was confident I’d have less thinking to do on our journey ahead. Well, dwelling on that now was pointless.

Since it wasn’t important, I returned to the topic.

“Then this will be quick. If this is the ‘same’ Edengard, what reaction would those gatekeepers have when they see us?”

“Hmm. ‘Halt- halt- halt- Those who look suspicious, have unclear identities, or are wanted cannot enter Edengard.’ Was that it?”

“It’s impressive you remember even the dialogue. Then what comes next?”

“I think it was the title ‘Aspiring Knight’? You had to wear that and talk to them to ‘safely’ pass through, right?”

“Correct. So, how should we, without that title, get through?”

Would the Tower follow the official storyline too? Having just arrived on the first floor, I couldn’t tell, but all I had were a few titles and achievements.

“Miss Seon.”

“…”

“Miss Seon?”

“Hot. Ah. Yes? Captain?”

“Do you have any Tower-related titles?”

“Oh yes, I do. It’s called ‘Tower Entrant.'”

[Party]

[‘First Tower Entrant’ JoanOfArcIsASaint (Level 3)]

[‘Tower Entrant’ KillThemAll (Level 2)]

“Huh? Level 2?”

“Oh! I was level 1 at first, but right before leaving that strange space, a message appeared. It said that although my entry route was exceptional, it was considered a ‘legitimate’ entry, so it would count as passing through the starting room. Said it would give me the basic reward.”

Was that because I chose ‘Someone’s Memory’ as my S-class reward? I still couldn’t figure out the criteria for who gets kidnapped or when.

“Well, that’s fortunate. Anyway, do you understand what I’m getting at?”

“Yes. No matter if it’s Edengard, this is still the Tower. Since we have nothing else, we should wear Tower-related titles.”

‘Wow, this is really convenient.’

If the woman beside me had been a complete newbie or an NPC companion with questionable AI, how frustrating would it have been?

Is it going too far to feel like I’m starting a thrilling RPG adventure with a game-savvy woman?

‘Yes, that’s going too far. Get a grip.’

[JoanOfArcIsASaint]

[Level 3][Title: First Tower Entrant (Growth Bonus 10%)]

[Class: Battle Commander]

[Strength: 10][Agility: 10][Endurance: 10][Magic: 10][Will: 10]

[Remaining Points: 8]

While approaching the gate, I checked my character window to inspect my title.

[(New)S-Class from the Start: You received an S-grade evaluation in the starting room.]

[Perhaps. I. Was. ‘S-Class’. From birth…?]

[All abilities +1]

‘It’s really good for something obtained so early, but the 10% growth one is more appealing.’

With a slightly regretful thought, I continued forward until heavily armored gatekeepers, looking very stuffy and hot, blocked our way by crossing their halberds from both sides.

“Halt, halt, halt. Those who look suspicious, have unclear identities, or are wanted cannot enter Edengard.”

“Please identify yourselves.”

Wow, it’s exactly the same!

Probably thinking the same thing as me, KillThemAll’s lips curled up slightly before dropping again as she stood before the gatekeepers.

“I’m an adventurer who recently entered the Tower.”

“How could an adventurer not visit this city that makes one’s heart swell with grandeur just by looking at it from afar?”

Changing the protagonist’s dialogue a bit wasn’t difficult for me, having developed social skills while dealing with stress from a prickly sniper and a cunning colleague.

“Hmm. While Edengard is indeed grand.”

“We fully understand your intentions, but we have a duty to guard this gate, please understand.”

The gatekeepers solemnly shrugged at my flattery, but their halberds remained unmoved.

“Prove your identity.”

[If you step forward, you will submit to identity verification. If you don’t meet the conditions, you cannot pass through and may be detained depending on the circumstances.]

[If you step back, you will refuse identity verification. You may be perceived as suspicious.]

KillThemAll gave me a look. Without chat, I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like she would follow my judgment.

‘Well, what’s the point of retreating without even trying?’

There was essentially only one choice.

As I stepped forward, KillThemAll followed. The right gatekeeper then took something from his waist and held it in front of my eyes.

“Please don’t move, and try not to blink while looking at this. It will only take a few seconds.”

‘This is where the difference between game and reality shows.’

After examining each person for about 10 seconds, the gatekeeper nodded, returned his halberd to its original position, and shouted:

“Pass!”

“Welcome to Edengard, the knights’ utopia, Tower Entrant.”

Tower Entrant, huh.

“Haha, thank you. By the way, gatekeeper, if it’s not rude, may I ask you something?”

“Yes. Ask away. I’ll answer if I can.”

“Is this your first time using that magnifying glass?”

“Yes. At least for me, it’s the first time.”

“Thank you. Keep up the good work!”

[You have passed the identity verification.]

[Your current location is the 1st floor neutral zone ‘Edengard’.]

Along with the addition of a place name that wasn’t there when we first entered the first floor:

[You have reached the 1st floor for the first time.]

[You have acquired the achievement ‘First Climber’.]

[You have acquired the title ‘A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step’.]

I was also able to obtain an achievement and title confirming my guess. This seemed to be the case for KillThemAll too, as she opened her eyes wide and clenched her fist in excitement.

‘A true gamer can’t resist being the first.’

That’s why I always aimed for server firsts.

After letting her enjoy the happy moment briefly, I looked around and casually spoke:

“First, we should gather information here and compare it with the game settings, get equipment, prepare other necessities… there’s a lot to do. So I think it’s better to prepare thoroughly here rather than moving forward right away. What do you think?”

“I agree. And one major difference is already painfully apparent.”

“What is it?”

“The rewards. No basic equipment, and even entering the city just now. In the game, we’d at least get some experience and money as story quest rewards. Here we got titles and achievements, but it’s still daunting right now. Like you said, we need to prepare thoroughly here. Since it’s a neutral zone, it should be safe too.”

I strongly agreed. No money, no basic equipment—what kind of treatment is this? If you’re going to drag us here without warning, at least guarantee basic human rights.

‘Tsk.’

Complaining was useless. I nodded and calculated the locations I had frequently visited in the game.

‘The heart of Edengard, Edengard Square. We should go there first.’

With major facilities clustered around the square, it would be the perfect first destination.

“Mom, mom! What are we having for dinner tonight?”

“Fish and chips, with fish pie on the side.”

“Wooow! Really? That sounds delicious!! Mom, you’re the best!”

“Hehe. You think so? I’ll do my best to make it!”

“Jelly! I want jelly too!”

‘W-what am I hearing right now? Is this really a conversation?’

And jelly?

Surely not ‘that jelly’?

“Somehow, any fullness I was feeling just completely disappeared.”

“…Same here.”

“Let’s hurry to the square.”

One piece of information about Edengard that I didn’t know from game settings or play experience, and didn’t particularly need to know:

Apparently, Edengard was modeled after Britain.

At least when it comes to food.