2

Before I even finished muttering, a thump—thump sound came from the side.

I turned my head.

A bright yellow squirrel was doing flips on top of a mushroom.
A large lizard that had been watching from afar suddenly rushed forward and swallowed the squirrel in one bite.

Its cheek bulged into the shape of the squirrel, and it happily climbed a tree.

Then—

Crack!

The middle of the giant tree split open. Sharp wooden fragments, like teeth, crushed the lizard.

The tree chewed it slowly, then closed perfectly, returning to normal.

“……”

No.

This is Namsan.

It has to be Namsan.

I staggered and opened the map.

But everything was green. I couldn’t tell where I was.

I narrowed my eyes, closed the map, and looked ahead.

Beyond the layers of trees, I felt killing intent from that direction.

“Bounty hunters.”

I said it without thinking—almost sounding happy—then cleared my throat.

“They don’t feel that strong… I’ll just ask them for a way out.”

“Switch title. ‘Silent Wind.’”

[Title changed. Vision adjusted to 2.0. Sensitivity +20. Agility +30.]

Even so, I buffed myself.

I moved forward and started running toward the presence.

It felt close—but it wasn’t.

What kind of map is this?!

“This feels like Siberia…!”

I stopped mid-curse and slowed down.

Hiding behind a tree, I peeked.

The men ahead were unarmed, just talking casually.

Confident because of their numbers.

I slowly raised my pistol.

I planned to kill them first.

One survivor would be enough to ask directions.

I was about to pull the trigger—

Then something felt off.

At the same time, the bushes next to them shook violently.

I quickly turned my gun.

A group burst out of the bushes.

My eyes widened.

My finger froze.

First, I was shocked by the man’s face.

Then by what he was holding.

Pointed ears. Smooth white skin like marble.

And sharp eyes like a black panther.

“Enemy?!” the man shouted.

That snapped me back to my senses.

We faced each other.

The others I had been watching started approaching.

“Chrysus. Behind.”

The “doll” in his arms spoke.

Blue light flashed behind them.

The man turned quickly and swung his hand—

A whip-like spark flew in and was deflected.

I stared in disbelief.

Then—

Someone attacked from his blind spot.

But he wasn’t holding a weapon.

No—

He was using long, claw-like nails.

Bang! Bang!

I fired instinctively.

The attacker’s head snapped back, and he dropped dead.

[You have killed a demon. Murderer level increased.]

“W-Wait… what?”

My brain froze.

Then—

Crack!

Blue sparks attacked again like a wild snake.

Chrysus blocked one aimed at my side.

Our eyes met.

He turned and ran.

I followed.

More enemies appeared.

I pulled out a grenade, bit the pin, and threw it.

Boom!

Dirt and roots exploded.

The man looked back in shock.

I threw another grenade.

The “child” peeked over his shoulder with shining black eyes.

Boom!

The pursuers collapsed.

Gunshots echoed.

[You have killed a demon.]

Again.

“Demons…?”

Real demons?

From fantasy?!

“This way,” Chrysus said.

We ran toward a narrow gap between rocks.

Inside, it opened into a hollow space.

He sealed the entrance with magic.

Footsteps passed outside.

Silence.

Then the child spoke.

“Chrysus. It’s dark.”

His voice was clear—but emotionless.

“My apologies.”

Chrysus created a floating light.

I rubbed my face.

“That’s… magic.”

“This game company has gone crazy.”

“You talk nonsense,” the child said.

I frowned.

“Then stay quiet.”

“What?”

“Do you know who this is?!” Chrysus shouted.

“No idea. That’s why I’m rude.”

Silence.

Then Chrysus spoke reluctantly.

“I am Chrysus, commander of Bellos’ knights.”

“And this is—”

The child cut him off.

“Ruler of abundance. Feared by the sea.
The brightest jewel of Atinos.
The king born of gold.”

“Twenty-sixth son of Atinos.”

“Bellos Atinos Idniss.”

That’s a long name…

I nodded.

“Evan.”

Silence.

“That’s it?” Chrysus asked.

“Yeah.”

His face twisted in anger.

“You lowborn—!”

“Enough,” the child said.

“It’s not his fault.”

I was speechless.

“Thank you for your help,” he said.

“Sure.”

Chrysus exploded again.

“No more disrespect!”

“Chrysus.”

The child’s voice was heavy.

Chrysus turned pale.

“Be quiet.”

He obeyed.

Then the child looked at me.

“Who are you? Why were you being chased?”

I frowned.

“Chased? Not bounty hunters?”

“They are invaders. Sent to capture me.”

“Ah… damn.”

I ran a hand through my hair.

“So I got dragged into a hidden scenario.”

I smiled.

This was bad.

Very bad.

“What are you saying?” he asked.

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

“And I don’t feel like explaining.”

Crack—

The light orb cracked.

Chrysus growled.

“We should kill him.”

I raised my gun.

Pulled out a machine gun too.

But—

They looked shocked.

“…They don’t know guns?”

Then—

Crack!

The sealed entrance broke.

A spear burst through—

“Chrysus!”

The spear pierced his chest.

Before thinking, I moved.

I caught the child as he fell.

My gun dropped and disappeared.

His black eyes widened.

“Chrysus—!”

I covered his mouth.

The smell of blood filled the air.

That wound—

Fatal.

“…He’s going to die.”

Without thinking, I said—

“I’m sorry.”

It was like apologizing to a movie.

But—

Seeing Chrysus smile faintly—

It didn’t feel meaningless.

The hole widened.

The light went out.

The child trembled in my arms.

I didn’t know if it was fear—

Or grief.

Darkness swallowed everything.

Only the presence of enemies outside remained clear.