They're screwing users over in so many colorful ways, huh.
I barely peeked my head out and looked down at the dizzying ground.
"..."
Just looking down made my legs tremble.
Why designate a place like this as the first starting point?
Since it's a game, maybe there's a hidden path or something?
Yeah. This place is actually a starting point and a hideout for later.
Because if I screw up the game—like becoming wanted—the developers kindly let me hide here where no one knows… No way that's it.
In the first place, according to the world's setting, most wizards can use levitation magic.
A place that's just high up with no decent bushes to hide in? A refuge? No chance.
Besides, what game forces you to use a hidden path just to reach the beginner village?
Even that game where you can have demoness as your girlfriend—or worse ones—had friendlier tutorials than this.
"Haa…"
But it makes my heart race.
The thrill of finding and solving hidden puzzle elements is special.
And I'm the type who prefers unique methods.
Do you know who I am? An RPG addict? Wrong.
I'm addicted to all games.
That includes climbing games.
Looking closely at the cliff, there are plenty of handholds and footholds.
Okay. Should I give it a try?
I turned the longsword strapped behind me to the front so it wouldn't throw off my balance.
Slowly, I placed my foot on the cliff.
Am I scared? I'm pretty fearless in my own way.
And what happens if I die in a game? Respawn, that's it.
Plus, I've fallen countless times in climbing games. Hard to get scared now.
Of course, even in those games there was a normal safety rope.
But I like challenging plays.
I've climbed up and down mountain ranges that make this cliff look like a joke—without any safety rope—dozens of times.
My confidence wasn't misplaced.
I could feel the ground getting closer at a pretty fast pace.
Heh heh. A smile crept onto my face.
Nice. Won't take long.
There was a time I thought that.
"Heok… Heok…"
It's fucking hard.
I didn't know because climbing games have infinite stamina… It's seriously tough.
How far have I come? Halfway?
Even in VR, do they have to implement stamina limits this harshly?
"Damn that goddess bitch…"
Why drop me off in a place like this…
When I looked up, the top was so high I couldn't see it.
Like staring up at a high-rise roof from the front door.
No way I can climb back up now.
In the end, I had no choice but to keep descending with trembling arms and legs, cursing nonstop.
Time passed. And passed again.
My mouth tasted sweet. Arms and legs felt heavy as lead.
I didn't want to move even a little.
And I still hadn't reached the bottom.
How much is left? It's been a while, hasn't it?
Maybe almost down? But twisting to look down felt like I'd plummet straight.
That's how exhausted I was.
It's a strange feeling.
The taste of the air. The sticky, unpleasant sweat inside my clothes…
The tension that one wrong move means plunging down and shattering my body…
I don't have a fear of heights.
But everyone has probably felt it.
That trembling-leg sensation when looking down from a high place with low railings or dangerous setups.
Right now, the pressure is far more intense. Incomparable.
No safety rope. Nothing.
Every step, a chunk of stone flies off. Every stretch of my foot feels like falling.
…They really made the game well.
In climbing games, I never felt flesh trembling or legs shaking. Just labor. Or play.
Here, it feels like reality.
The thought that I might really die if I fall freezes my body.
…It's been a while since I felt like this.
A few years ago, every day was full of thrills.
That old feeling returning made vitality surge through my frozen body.
"Hoo…"
Deep breath. I'm definitely getting down.
This isn't reality. It's virtual. I won't die anyway.
But I hate wasting all this effort.
No resting spots nearby. Hard to even hold position. I'll fall soon.
No choice but to squeeze out every last drop of strength and descend.
Even now, a smile somehow crept onto my face.
How long since I pushed my body this hard? How many years holed up at home?
I've exercised to avoid dangerous weight gain, but it's been ages since I exhausted myself completely.
Love Heart. That bitch goddess pisses me off just thinking about her.
But thanks to her, I remembered the gratitude of labor after so long. Something like that.
"Okay. Let's do it."
Hoo. I breathe and move feet and arms.
By my rough estimate, not much left to the ground.
Just as I lifted my foot and stepped to the next hold—
Peissuk.
"Eueot…?!"
Swaying sensation. Gravity crushes me.
I reflexively drew my sword and stabbed the cliff.
Instinctively, I tried skills from the previous game.
I was going to use 'Know Yourself and Your Enemy, and You Will Never Be Defeated' and 'Severing Sword'.
Kang!
"Euk?!"
But the cliff was fucking hard.
Same cliff that cracked just from stepping?
The sword barely scratched it. Recoil pushed me away.
After a moment—
Wind swirled around my whole body.
I'm falling.
Like plunging headfirst in sleep. Dizziness rises slowly.
Enjoy it, my ass.
Fucking goddess bitch. If you appear after respawn and laugh, I'll stab you.
"Eugek!"
I made a frog-like sound, bounced once, rolled.
When I raised my head, I finally understood.
"I'm down."
As expected, not much left to the ground.
Body check: fine except exhaustion.
Looking up, I could see the sword scratch with the naked eye.
About five meters? High, but my current game body is beyond normal human.
No injury.
If I'd known, I could've jumped earlier.
Maybe this game gives a healthy body even from the first cliff fall.
But it's too realistic to test that casually. Burdensome.
"Aiyoo…"
I stood, dusting myself off.
Picked up the scattered sword and sheathed it with a swish.
I recalled the moment before falling.
Seemed like the old skill activated. Seemed like it didn't.
First, check my condition.
I want to know my current specs.
In the last game I split skies with one swing. Now I'm a total newbie.
Can't gauge level-1 strength.
At least stronger than normal people…
Fastest way is combat, but no opponents now.
So, status window.
"Status window."
...
Fucking hell, quiet again.
"Status window, stat window."
Déjà vu.
Tired of shouting, I headed to the village.
I don't want to move a finger right now.
Half a day ago I burned with fighting spirit. All burned up climbing.
Should I log out here…?
Strong urge, but I resisted.
I wanted to take this character—my alter ego—to a comfortable rest spot at least.
Call me whatever. Psychopath. Game addict. I have nothing to say.
But the character is another me.
Shouldn't I reward this body that's suffered physically and mentally all day?
Thinking that, my zombie steps became cheerful.
It took a while to reach the village even after descending.
But imagining future fighting methods made it quick.
Already dark around me.
Even if not tired and full of will, not an environment for fighting.
I admired the village gate.
"Oh… Quite well-equipped, huh?"
I pictured a quiet peaceful prairie village like spacious countryside.
But sturdy walls. Huge gate with proper gatekeepers.
Admiring it, sudden unease hit.
This crazy game. Unexpected shit keeps happening…
Maybe a weird event just passing the gate?
But I can't stand here forever.
I approached.
The two gatekeepers, faces hardened, slammed their spears down!
"Stop right there!"
"Oh, ah. Yes."
Surprised by the reaction, I raised both hands. No hostility.
They widened eyes and stared. What? Why surprised?
"It was a person."
"I thought an undead staggering in the dark."
"Ah…"
Fantasy world indeed. Undead at the main gate?
Are undead immortal here too—only die if limbs fully destroyed?
Adventurous spirit stirring again, but my stomach rumbled. Reality returned.
"Then can I pass?"
"No, show your pass."
"Pass?"
Sensing my bewilderment, tension returned to the air.
"You don't have one?"
"Uh… That's…"
As I fumbled, the tall gatekeeper glanced at the chubby one. Not good.
I quickly spoke.
"I'm not suspicious."
"Even so, no pass these days… You're a new face. No village ID. Wait. Gotta check if you're wanted."
How did entering a village become this frustrating?
That damn goddess bitch. Did she skip crucial info because I said skip?
"No… I came to this region for the first time today."
"First time in this region? Ah."
The gatekeeper looked like he guessed something.
"Look at that sword of yours."
"My sword?"
"Specifically the handle. Oh… I see."
He smiled, relieved.
"You're a Stranger! Just arrived."
"Uh, uh… Yes."
Stranger? What they call players?
"But how far did you come to look this scruffy? Other Strangers usually…"
"Hey. He looks tired. Let him through quick."
The chubby gatekeeper nudged his partner and muttered. Nice old man.
"Okay, okay. Sorry. If you have questions, come to the guard post or outpost. Stable's that way a bit. Walk straight on the widest central road—several inns."
"Ah. Thank you."
I thanked the kind gatekeeper ahjussi and finally entered.
I'm tireddddd.
Inn. Rest. …Ah, right.
"Excuse me, what's the name of this village?"
Should memorize it. Starting village.
The sentry laughed.
"Welcome to Mirpeu Village!"
"Yes, thank you…"
…Huh?
Did he say Milf?
"By the way, did you hear about that bandit group…?"
"Rather, a very powerful monster appeared nearby…"
Those men are definitely dropping hints.
Getting an inn had difficulties. I had no money.
Exactly five copper coins.
The young-looking, quite beautiful landlady said one silver per day. Five bronze not enough.
Ten bronze equals one silver.
"…I see…"
Strength left me. I slumped unknowingly.
Not for nothing the gatekeeper mentioned the stable.
"These days we're in the red too, so sorry for your situation… Oh my?"
The landlady blinked at my sword. Specifically the hilt pattern.
"You're a Stranger?"
"Ah. Yes."
What? Some service?
She widened her eyes slightly, then smiled. Seductive smile. Turned me on a bit.
…Restrain.
"If you're a Stranger, accommodation is half price. Country policy."
"Really?!"
Then I can stay! Things progressed smoothly after.
A cute-looking bellboy gave me a glare… Who cares. Kid, that hood doesn't suit you.
Like a child pretending to be adult.
After washing up, refreshed, I jumped into bed.
"…Good night…"
Sleepiness hit as soon as I lay down.
Even if I sleep here, capsule safety wakes me in reality.
Should I shout log out…?
At that moment.
Knock knock knock.
"..."
What. I want to sleep.
Knock knock knock.
"Aish fucking…"
They wouldn't back off, so I grumbled and opened the door.
Isn't it the landlady from earlier?
"What's the matter…?"
Money miscalculation now?
But she knows my situation best. Would she mistake?
More than that, a sexy adult woman coming to an adult man's room this late?
Strange imaginations flooded in.
...
Umm… Restrain.
"Stranger."
"Huh? Yes."
"I'll get straight to it. Would you like to buy me for one night?"
"…Pardon?"
The landlady opened the door wider and stepped closer. Flower scent filled my nose.
Badump badump
Heart pounded. Groin hardened.
"What do you think?"
…What should I do?