NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4
Chapter 4 – Sudden Visit (4)
‘It’s the fault of waking up late.’
Late afternoon. I had technically left work early, but the fatigue still lingered. From the moment I overslept and dashed out like a mad dog with its tail on fire, my condition had spiraled downhill.
My company life passed by in a blur. When I finally came to my senses, I was already home, peeling off my stuffy suit.
Today’s agenda was simply to finish up remaining tasks. While others seemed to live busy lives and diligently accomplish something, I found it hard and tedious to do anything grand.
“Isn’t that just…”
Then, I spotted my computer, and memories of last night came flooding back.
It was shocking how I managed to go through today as if nothing had happened.
Nervously, I sat down and forgot to eat dinner, turning on the monitor instead.
The screen lit up quickly, revealing the desktop. There were still those mysterious residents I saw yesterday on the green grassland.
They seemed to be gathered, talking about something serious as I zoomed in on them.
Their expressions and atmosphere looked heavy and dark enough to make me uncomfortable.
Up until yesterday, when I first met them, I didn’t know what was going on and simply observed. But today felt different. Still unsure of what to make of it, I opted for a cautious approach.
[Achievement Unlocked: Achievement Points Granted]
[First Zone Exploration: 100P]
[First Food Collection: 100P]
…
But the Master Program didn’t just leave me alone.
As if waiting for me to sit down, notifications poured in, revealing that while I was away, the residents had autonomously performed tasks, yielding rewards in the form of achievements.
They gave points for minor scouting and food gathering, with the total amounting to 1000P. Of course, it seemed these points were only granted for the first achievement, so I wouldn’t get more this way.
‘What should I do with these points now?’
Though the residents earned them, only I could use them. Like how I healed Riena’s wounds with the vaccine program, the Master Program seemed eager to exact something from me using these points.
The problem was what I could actually do at this moment. There were quite a few programs I could unlock for 1000 points.
Document programs were possible, and image editing programs were too.
“Games?”
However, what caught my eye the most were the numerous games installed. They were the only hobby I consistently engaged in since my school days.
[Chief’s Dilemma: A Habitable Place]
‘What is this now?’
While I was busy looking at the points needed to unlock various games, it appeared the residents’ meeting had concluded. Yet, at that moment, a thought bubble popped up over Chief Balun’s head, showing him he was sighing with a dark expression.
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I right-clicked on him. A new option appeared alongside the existing [Zoom Observation].
Naturally, I clicked it.
[In a serious dilemma over resource shortages, he realizes this isn’t a habitable land and decides to leave. * If residents disappear, they can’t block the Bugs.]
‘Resource shortages?’
This function informed me of what Chief Balun was currently pondering. His concern was about the lack of food and materials, contemplating leaving this place due to scarcity.
What caught my attention especially was the alarming message warning that if the residents left, I would be in trouble.
“What am I supposed to do about this?”
Grumbling, I thought about how to meet Balun’s request for resources. Surely, there had to be something I could do, like with the vaccine program.
[Sandbox Game Program Recommended]
As if knowing my dilemma, the Master Program recommended something again. An icon appeared on one corner of the desktop, framed in green—it was a game.
This game, one I enjoyed during childhood and occasionally played to pass the time, had no specific goals or stories. It allowed for free hunting, gathering, and crafting within its sprawling sandbox field made of various blocks.
I couldn’t understand why it was being recommended right now. Did it mean that I could supply the needed resources to the residents through this game?
In fact, collecting wood or stone in this game, among other resources, was one of the main objectives.
Hunting beasts or harvesting crops would also yield food. Just thinking about it made me realize that if I could ‘extract items from the game,’ I could gather everything the residents needed.
[New Program Integration]
Suddenly, chills ran down my spine as I inadvertently spent points to activate the game and link it with the Master Program.
[Current Number of Residents Entering: 0/4]
Double-clicking the icon to launch the game, instead of the usual game window, a new screen influenced by the Master Program appeared.
[Select Up to Four Residents]
“…”
The game was now beyond my control. It had transformed completely, leaving me no choice but to follow its instructions.
In response to the prompt to select four residents, I picked Chief Balun, the formidable Riena, and two brawny-looking men, dragging and dropping them onto the interface.
‘Sorry.’
It was pitiful to see the four little beings flailing helplessly in the air, but all I could do was quickly finish the procedure.
[Selection Complete]
[Entering New World…]
Once I completed the selection, the Master Program went dark, and a black window appeared. Soon, the game’s logo and name showed up, confirming that the game had launched.
In panic, I minimized the game window to scan my surroundings, but on the desktop, only the astonished residents were buzzing—none of the four I had selected were anywhere to be found.
‘Where did they go?’
In the meantime, the game completely started up, and in the opened game window, my character, viewed from a first-person perspective, was staring over vast plains in bright daylight.
This world, built from clunky and angular blocks, was decidedly different from the real-life wallpaper or actual residents.
Perhaps because it had been a while since I last played this game, I noticed my mouse movements felt slightly odd, like my hand was a stick.
“Ugh?!”
However, when I unconsciously moved the mouse to pan the view, I gasped, nearly biting my tongue at the scenery behind me.
Real residents, entirely out of place in this blocky world, dove into the game and were now gawking at me with wide eyes.
“—!!”
Of those suddenly kidnapped because of me, only Riena, who always seemed ready with her sword, held a weapon.
She drew her sword, hiding behind her father Balun and the other residents, and pointed it at me.
In stark contrast to how she appeared on the desktop, this first-person view made her seem larger and more vibrant. The rest of this world, so alien in its blocky design, highlighted that distinction even further.
“No, wait a second!”
But at that moment, as I clumsily inched closer to her while fumbling with the keyboard, she swung her sword at me in terror.
Honestly, I couldn’t even react. Whether she had special swordsmanship skills or not, she closed the distance in an instant, swinging her sword, causing my character to flinch and be knocked back.
‘I might die like this.’
That hit slashed my HP in half. Instinctively, I turned to escape, spamming the jump key to get away.
A quick glance behind showed Riena seemed eager to pursue, but my character was faster, never tiring or slowing down.
‘I need a plan.’
Suddenly drawn into this unfamiliar world, I resolved to find a way to show them I wasn’t an enemy and that I could help.
Fortunately, it seemed finding that method wouldn’t be too difficult.
Despite the Master Program seemingly restricting most of the modes and cheat codes I could access, I could still play the game.
Just ahead, I spotted some animals within the game.
Noticing the residents were likely famished, I decided to gift them the food that those animals would drop. If I offered those gifts, at least they would know I wasn’t hostile.
‘Wait. Do monsters come out exactly like this?’
However, as I began collecting nearby wood to craft tools to hunt those animals, the potential danger hit me.
This game did have various monsters that resembled beasts. Though Riena was around, if those creatures attacked in hordes, the residents would be in serious danger.
‘I need to build a house before night falls.’
Though it was merely light-hearted gameplay, I ramped up the tension and devoted myself to the task.
While I was just sitting in front of the computer controlling a character, the residents were in a different situation.
I truly didn’t know whether they were human or something else. But I was certain that if they died, they wouldn’t come back.
At the same time, I wanted to ensure they didn’t die. I could hardly say it was due to a bond after just a day, but I was genuinely concerned.
“Somehow, it’ll work out.”
Sighing, I used my wooden tools to take down the nearby animals. Each time, they dropped raw, crimson meat.
What I saw now was undoubtedly just a simplistic data piece made of pixels. Naturally, it felt absurd to wonder if I could really give this to the residents.
Yet, I forced that thought aside. Any sense of reason or realism had already flown out the window in this situation.
There had to be a reason the Master Program recommended this to me, so I cautiously made my way toward the gathering of residents.
They were still clustered together, glancing around in apprehension. They looked hesitant to move anywhere.
‘I wish we could communicate. Even just through chat.’
When they noticed my return, they flinched, Riena’s sword still aimed menacingly at me. Feeling frustrated at the inability to communicate, I slowly approached them holding the meat.
Uncertain whether they were confused by my actions or if it was simply my gradual approach that made them wary, Riena, this time, didn’t randomly swing her sword.
“…!”
In front of them, I pressed the drop key, letting the piece of meat fall to the ground. It was a thoughtless gesture, yet their eyes widened at the sight of the meat.