episode_0004

“Guide, the time has come for your decision.”

A masked figure clad in white robes.

A man bowed his head and spoke reverently to the kneeling figure, who was deep in prayer.

“…Has there been any word from our infiltrator?”

“Ten minutes ago, our operative embedded among Sandra Gauss’s performance staff delivered good news.”

As the masked figure gave a slight nod, the man continued without hesitation.

“As you are aware, Guide, our objective was to use a Grade 5 Erosion Stone during the upcoming holographic performance to corrupt Yonghee. However, the lead actor of that performance was suddenly caught in an accident, putting the entire show at risk of postponement.”

“Indeed.”

“But we’ve received word that the performance will proceed as scheduled. Rumor has it Sandra Gauss has secured a new actor to take the lead role.”

“…A fortunate turn. There could be no better opportunity to corrupt Yonghee. For the perfect candidate to appear now… It must be the blessing of the Father of Erosion.”

The masked man slowly rose from his seat and turned his gaze toward the other.

“The plan will proceed as intended, but there is one adjustment I wish to make.”

“Speak, Guide.”

“Change the Erosion Stone we will use from Grade 5 to Grade 4.”

“…I dare not oppose your will, but I fear such excessive measures may draw unwanted attention toward us.”

The man knelt, his voice trembling as he cautiously voiced his concern.

“This is the perfect opportunity granted to us by the Father of Erosion. To risk squandering such a precious chance… is unacceptable. It would be wiser to ensure the job is done thoroughly. Yes, indeed.”

“…Understood, Guide. Your words have been received.”

The man bowed deeply before carefully retreating from the masked figure’s presence.

Once more, the masked figure knelt, clasped his hands, and resumed his prayer.

“…Erosion is the only path to humanity’s salvation. May the pitiful children who resist it be gathered into your embrace.”

Disaster was approaching.

Sandra Gauss’s new holographic performance, “The Unwanted.”

Three minutes remained until the show began.

Some had tuned in to experience the spectacle indirectly, while those with greater means had secured seats in the theater to immerse themselves in the thrill firsthand.

The audience buzzed with excitement, eagerly anticipating the entertainment to come.

Yet, the area surrounding one particular seat was eerily silent.

“……”

A stunning woman with platinum hair cascading down to her waist and milky-white skin left bare for all to see.

And the two black horns protruding from her forehead—proof that she had inherited a noble power.

Though she bore the name Erin, she was more commonly known by another title: Yonghee.

“Yonghee”—literally, “the woman who inherited the dragon’s power.”

Only a handful of individuals in the world could wield such a prestigious ability, making her all the more extraordinary.

But her titles did not end there.

Hope of the New Generation. Youngest Grade 3 Purifier. Frostblade of the North. Youngest Professor of Providence.

Each dazzling epithet flaunted just how remarkable she was.

“……”

Erin sat primly, legs together, her gaze fixed solely on the stage.

Several men and women around her attempted to approach, hoping for an autograph or photo, but the icy aura she exuded forced them back into their seats without a word.

Yet Erin herself was not lost in deep thought.

‘I can’t wait.’

She adored holographic performances.

They allowed her to vividly experience dramatic, thrilling events that would never occur in the bleak and somber reality she knew.

Her schedule had been too packed to attend any until now, but with a week left before Providence’s semester began, she had finally found time to visit the theater, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

Just how mesmerizing would it be to see one in person?

As she waited impatiently for the show to start, the theater lights dimmed.

Only the stage remained illuminated.

Then, a woman stepped forward, her footsteps echoing softly.

“To all who have gathered here today to share in the unbelievable experience that is ‘The Unwanted,’ we extend our deepest gratitude. Before the performance begins, there is something we must share.”

Dressed in a sleek suit, she closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly.

“Last week, the lead actor originally cast for this performance, Famir Pier, was involved in an unfortunate accident. As a result, we have secured a replacement.”

The audience stirred at her words, many visibly displeased.

But the woman only smiled faintly, as if she had expected such a reaction.

“We ask for your support in witnessing the dazzling debut of a rising star, personally scouted by the director herself, Sandra Gauss.”

With those final words, she bowed and retreated.

“Sandra Gauss, that picky woman, handpicked someone? Hmm… Maybe it’s worth believing.”

“Ugh, I hope I didn’t waste my money.”

Mixed reactions erupted throughout the theater.

Then, the light on the stage gradually faded, and a vast grassland materialized before their eyes.

A flawless holographic illusion, indistinguishable from reality.

In the midst of that sprawling field stood a single, lush tree.

And toward it, a young boy began to walk.

His appearance was one that could captivate anyone, regardless of gender.

“I remember that spring day.”

His voice was like the sweet fragrance of flowers given form.

The moment those words spread through the theater, every pair of eyes widened in shock.

With just one sentence, he had seized the audience’s undivided attention.

Even Erin was stunned—though for a very different reason.

‘…Why is he here?’

Her pupils trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

“The Unwanted” told the story of children raised as sworn siblings in a village.

The protagonist, Seorang, betrays his friends as an adult, forced by circumstance to provide for his impoverished family, and ultimately stands against them.

“The past is worthless. Burn it all away. So just… disappear from my sight.”

In the end, Seorang realizes his actions are an unforgivable sin beyond any justification and takes his own life, bringing the holographic performance to its conclusion.

And I, the actor who played Seorang, delivered a flawless performance.

To the audience, I was Seorang, and Seorang was me.

“…Hah.”

The climax—Seorang’s suicide scene.

“…I… always wanted to escape… the shadow you all cast over me…”

I mimed plunging a dagger into my chest, gasping for breath as I continued.

“But in the end… it’s that very shadow… that embraces me at my last moment.”

The spotlight focused on me as a single camellia flower fluttered down.

Of course, it was just a holographic illusion, but it was so lifelike that distinguishing it from reality was nearly impossible.

A mournful melody underscored my tragic demise, and the stage was swallowed by darkness.

The two-hour-long performance had reached its end.

And with it came thunderous applause.

This was the first time—in both this life and the last—that I had received such overwhelming adoration, and my heart raced with excitement.

But what truly lifted my spirits was something else entirely.

[Achievement: Rising Star (Make 100,000 people aware of your existence) — Cleared!]

[…Due to clearing this achievement before enrolling at Providence, rewards have been enhanced.]

[Obtained: 4-Star Persona Random Experience Ticket]

An achievement had been cleared on its own.

It must have been because the audience in the theater and the viewers watching the broadcast now knew of my existence.

A smile crept onto my face at this unexpected boon.

There were surely many more achievements to unlock.

Of course, since I couldn’t check their conditions, I couldn’t deliberately clear them—but the mere fact that they existed was something to be grateful for.

Then, the sound of footsteps filled the stage.

It was time for the cast to gather and bid farewell to the audience, introducing themselves one by one.

After steadying my exhilaration, I quickly stood and took my place at the center, straightening my clothes.

The stage brightened once more, and the actors began introducing themselves to an upbeat tune, dancing as they did.

Soon, it was my turn.

Taking a bold step forward, I spoke cheerfully.

“I’m Park Junghyun, the actor who played Seorang!”

I swept my gaze across the audience with a smile before bowing deeply.

As I straightened and prepared to step back—

“……..”

My eyes met Yonghee’s—Erin’s.

Her blue eyes bore into me.

Erin, a professor at Providence, was a guiding figure who steered the player character onto the right path.

Personally, she had been one of my favorite characters.

Her beautiful platinum hair and the dragon horns atop her head created a mystifying, enchanting harmony.

I had known for a while that Erin enjoyed holographic performances, and Sandra Gauss had informed me that she would be attending this one. So when I first spotted her, I hadn’t been particularly flustered.

If anything, it was a little surreal—once, she had been a character who brought me joy, but now, I was the one bringing her joy as an actor.

But as the performance progressed, something felt… off.

Specifically, my Actor’s Instinct picked up on it.

The way she looked at me wasn’t the gaze of an audience member watching a show—it was closer to someone recognizing an acquaintance.

That’s what my instincts told me.

Why was she looking at me like that?

Had the original owner of this body had some connection with Erin?

Once the thought took root, countless speculations bloomed in my mind.

But I bit my cheek lightly and refocused.

Concentrate.

The performance wasn’t over ye—

Then—

—WOOOOOOOON~!!!

A siren, sharp enough to feel like a slap to the ears, blared through the theater.

My expression twisted momentarily at the sudden noise.

What the—?

Was this part of the closing music?

I glanced around and saw the other actors looking just as bewildered.

But… this siren.

It was way too familiar.

Frantically racking my brain, I remembered almost instantly.

This sound—

“…It’s the Erosion Alert!”

The thought that something had gone terribly wrong barely had time to form before—

—KWA-JIJIK!!!

With an ear-splitting crash, something enormous materialized right before my eyes.