A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter 235 – The End and the Beginning (5)

“Hmm…”

When that time comes, how will we meet? It’s not like I haven’t imagined it. It crossed my mind often while I was busy running around and fighting for points.

Honestly, I didn’t even wish to meet in person. Just recognizing each other’s existence and being able to communicate would be enough.

That would allow both of us to properly settle our relationship and resolve things.

I didn’t want Riena to become too obsessed with me. I understood the necessity for her to become a sort of saintess, but I didn’t want to force that role upon her for a lifetime.

‘I’ve prepared all my equipment.’

I got ready with all the gear I had purchased to play this new game. Originally, it was a game where one would use their avatar to enter a virtual space and meet others, but who knows how it might be altered by the Master Program.

There are various types of avatars, and it wouldn’t be strange to meet the residents in that exact state. After all, the residents were so accustomed to my various odd appearances that they even made statues of me to display.

[Connection Start]

“Whoa? Right away?”

Indeed, as soon as I executed the game, a process began that was entirely different from what I had studied. There was no time to choose my avatar; I was immediately connected to the game.

“Ugh, uhhhhh!”

I felt an intense pull as if my body was floating in the air and moving somewhere, and I let out a dumb scream. I wasn’t just seeing a virtual screen through the device on my face.

My whole body was definitely heading somewhere else. I couldn’t resist this, nor did I have any reason to. After all, the Master Program ordered me to purchase and activate this game to achieve what I wanted.

“Gah!”

Soon, my body thudded hard onto a solid ground.

Startled by the ringing sensation in my head, I gradually opened my eyes, and the device that had been covering my face was gone, revealing a new world before me.

‘An alleyway?’

The first thought that struck me upon seeing it was that it was a narrow alley somewhere. Stone walls stretched on both sides, and a bustling road with quite a few people moving around lay ahead.

“That’s the place.”

I muttered that, feeling dazed. It’s strange yet familiar, just the perfect description for the current situation.

A place I had been watching daily, but had never actually visited. I was used to seeing it from above, but I had hardly ever seen it from this eye level.

I had really entered the screen.

“They say there are many looking for architects these days.”

“Of course, they handle not just architecture but tough civil engineering projects in no time, so they are quite popular. There are many places that need work, but not enough hands, so you can secure your position no matter where you go.”

Two individuals, apparently having acquired the Transporter trait in-game, chatted casually as they passed by me.

Dressed differently from me in training clothes I wore at home, they glanced at me curiously as they walked past, but that was all.

They didn’t recognize me. In fact, no one here knows my face, so it was a natural reaction.

‘Then Riena won’t recognize me either.’

I touched my face. This was my pure face, without wearing some avatar. However, it felt more effective than wearing one.

I could blend in with the crowd very naturally.

But this wasn’t a situation I had anticipated.

I thought I’d immediately meet Riena upon arrival, but in this state – which was practically like dropping into this world from the sky – it seemed unlikely I would meet her, who is held in high regard here.

‘It’s not impossible though.’

Actually, there was a way to reveal my identity and prove it.

If I announced it to the people beforehand and then logged out to do something only I could do, like smashing the desktop, they would have no choice but to believe me.

However, finding myself in this situation, I hesitated to use that method.

On the contrary, I thought perhaps this could be a good opportunity.

If I played my cards right, instead of approaching them as the Unknown Guardian Deity they revere and worship, I might be able to approach them as one of them, as a friend.

The question was how to start that. For now, I decided to take steps to explore this world. Now, perhaps due to the diverse crowds gathering from various places, my unfamiliar appearance didn’t draw as much attention as I thought.

“Wow…”

As I truly took in the cityscape, I marveled. This place, made with the game’s powers and items, radiated a mysterious allure that could never exist in reality.

The residents probably didn’t know this. It was something that had been given to them from the start. This wonder was something I alone, knowing the truth, could feel.

‘Now I kind of know my way around.’

Though it changes every day, I had seen it often enough that the map in my head, viewed from above, remained vivid.

My journey led me to the city center, where all the important facilities of the city were gathered. It was the holy site they referred to, and the place the Bugs were struggling to seize.

The portal leading to the game world, the royal palace with Chieftain Balun, and the headquarters of the Order where Riena operated – they were all here.

“It’s not going to be easy to meet her.”

I scratched my head upon seeing the stringent guards. Unless I revealed my identity, I would be just another stranger here.

It seemed it would take quite some time to meet her with my new identity.

“Hey, you there.”

At that moment, someone called out to me from behind, still staring blankly at the Order’s headquarters. It was the voice of a girl who sounded quite young.

*

“Shura.”

“Who are you… do I know you?”

After meeting Rasen and during the process of returning to the headquarters, Shura frowned at the suspicious individual she called out to.

He hurriedly controlled his expression upon seeing Shura. He was so glad to see her that he reacted as if he knew her very well.

In contrast, Shura, seeing him for the first time, regarded him with increasing suspicion. To her, he was just an ordinary human male.

“W-well, I just heard rumors.”

“You’re getting more suspicious. Your outfit is weird too; who are you, and you must have some identity badge you received when you entered here, right?”

As he waved his hands in panic, Shura approached him confidently, demanding proof of his identity. Upon hearing that, cold sweat trickled down his back.

For someone who had practically dropped from the sky, proving his identity was nearly impossible.

‘If it starts off like this, what can I do?’

Thanks to that, he decided to change his plans. Since he had to live in reality, starting from scratch without any foundation would be impractical.

“I have no identity badge. No, proving my identity is impossible. I came here without following any procedures.”

“What? A confession?”

“I came here because of what that person said. There is enough evidence to prove it.”

He named drop himself. But the effect was significant enough that Shura’s growing alarm clear as her eyes widened with disbelief.

“H-how dare you say something like that right now…”

“What should I tell you first? From the moment you came here? Or should I tell you how you practice talking to the portrait of Rasen every night?”

“Eeek!”

Shura was astonished when he effortlessly revealed not just her entire history but also her private, secretive activities as if he had known her all along.

It was nothing difficult for one who made it a routine and profession to observe the residents from above.

“Stop talking! I understand!”

“It seems that person has a message they wish to convey through me. I’m just here to relay it, so please guide me to the saintess quickly.”

As Shura blushed and tried to cover his mouth, he smirked and confidently instructed her to lead him to Riena.

With things having progressed this far, it was undeniable, and Shura eventually realized this situation was beyond the scope of what she could handle, so reluctantly took him into the headquarters.

“I can’t understand. Why would that person give a revelation directly to someone like you? There are so many here, including myself, who would give everything for that being.”

“I don’t know that either. But if we talk, it should become clear.”

He looked down at Shura shaking her head in a strange manner.

It was impossible for him to remain indifferent when witnessing those who would fight for themselves and willingly risk death.

“One thing is for sure: that person cares for you all the most.”

“Really?”

Through his own mouth, he conveyed his feelings to them for the first time. Of course, his authority wasn’t yet enough for them to take his words seriously, but that didn’t matter.

He was now finally voicing the words he had longed to say, and it sent his heart racing.

“Oh, it seems she’s not here.”

“Maybe she’ll come if we wait.”

However, they soon found themselves unable to meet Riena. She had briefly left her seat.

Junyong didn’t particularly mind. On the contrary, he thought it was fortunate he had time to organize his thoughts.

“Shura, who is the person beside you?”

But contrary to expectations, it wasn’t long before Riena, who had been absent, returned to her seat.

The two waiting immediately turned at the sound of her voice.

‘It’s true. Riena.’

His eyes widened, and his body froze. He was finally seeing her in person, having longed to speak with the character he had watched on screen.

“You…”

Riena was startled to see him too. She didn’t feel anything from him, making it a pure instinct on her part.

“Wow, what should I even say?”

He soon hardened his expression and, disregarding the alert Riena and flustered Shura, began to smile nervously.

This moment was historic for him.

Without exchanging a word, the bond they had built now bore fruit.

“Nice to meet you. Truly.”

Ultimately, the first proper words he uttered were this.

With arms wide open as if he couldn’t contain his joy, he smiled brightly, causing Riena to take a step back in confusion.

‘Who the heck is this? A crazy person?’

In truth, that bond was one-sided. Riena didn’t know his true identity.

‘But it feels somewhat familiar. Something…’

Usually, she would have chased him off without hesitation, but Riena couldn’t do that.

The pure goodwill she sensed from the eyes looking at her mirrored her own deep faith. That genuine heart could never be faked or performed.

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A Village Appeared on My Desktop 236