"Kim… Ihyun, was it?"
"You can just call me Ihyun or Hyun, whatever's easier."
"I'm sorry, the pronunciation is a bit difficult."
"That's understandable."
Layla sighed in relief. The conversation was going smoothly.
"I'm Layla. I work at a research facility called Selvologics Lab. It might be a bit tedious, so I won't go into details about the lab."
"What about the guy next to you? It's the first time I've seen a researcher shove a gun in someone's face."
"…My apologies. That was over the line."
Pavle admitted his fault without protest. It was a bit excessive, especially since they were able to communicate and Kim Ihyun wasn't visibly armed.
But that didn't mean they'd let their guard down. Kim Ihyun understood that well.
'A member of the lab, huh. Well, technically true.'
But researchers wouldn't be here. In the game, all three, including Ghost, are combatants.
They never explicitly stated they were researchers, but it was clear they were hiding that fact. The atmosphere was tense; even Layla, usually seen as the "soft touch," was cautious.
'It's refreshing.'
The characters were alive, speaking beyond their scripted lines. It was an exhilarating experience as a player.
"So, Mr. Hyun? Can we assume you're a survivor from Tullavia?"
It was a cautious question. Kim Ihyun snorted, leaning into his character's backstory.
"A survivor? Are you outsiders? Tullavia's in chaos, but not everyone left. I'm still here, for one."
"But why? You know it's dangerous here. Wouldn't it be safer in the city…?"
"Look at my face. It's hard enough to live where we originally settled; moving to a new place is a dream. People in this country hate immigrants."
"There was a place called Ullantz nearby. We passed through it briefly, and there seemed to be quite a few immigrants like you."
"Ullantz? Ha, that's just a holding pen. I'd rather be a wild animal than be kept like livestock there."
Even in abandoned areas, there are sewer rats.
Kim Ihyun's appearance lent credibility to his story. He was the only Asian among them, and after rolling on the ground during the fight, his hair was a mess.
It seemed his made-up story was being accepted.
"…I see."
Layla muttered to herself, then fell silent. Her face showed a complex mix of emotions. There was more to the story, but it wasn't the time to share it all.
After a while, Ghost returned.
He walked over to Layla with a slightly urgent pace and began whispering something in her ear.
Even without hearing, Kim Ihyun could guess. As expected.
"Is that true!?"
Her exclamation was almost a scream.
She quickly covered her mouth, glancing at Kim Ihyun. Even so, her face was flushed with excitement.
"I'm sorry. Excuse me for a moment!"
Layla bowed her head apologetically and ran into the cavity. Kim Ihyun watched her with a warm smile.
'Ah, that's Layla.'
She had an expressive way about her, making her a joy to watch. While she wasn't his absolute favorite character, Kim Ihyun liked Layla's personality.
'Then again, there aren't many characters I dislike.'
The tension eased more. Knowing that his game knowledge was accurate, he felt surprisingly calm.
"Mind if I follow along?"
He felt more at ease speaking up.
Ghost and Pavle exchanged a glance but didn't say anything. Taking that as an agreement, Kim Ihyun followed Layla into the cavity.
Inside the cavity.
The vines covering the glass cylinder had been neatly cleared away. Ghost had probably cut them to ensure they weren't a hindrance; the remnants lay strewn across the floor.
"It really is here…"
Layla murmured, brushing her hand along the surface of the glass.
The professor, her hair stark white but her face unlined, eyelashes gently lowered.
Sometimes a mother figure.
Other times like an older sister.
Just as in her last memories, the professor lay asleep. Layla clasped her hands to her chest, struggling to keep her emotions in check.
"How's the professor's condition?"
Pavle asked. He remained at the entrance, not approaching the glass cylinder.
He was keeping watch on the outside and on Kim Ihyun.
The Speeder corpses scattered around were all similar.
'Penetration wounds?'
Not something achievable with bare hands. He must have used a weapon, but there were no tools found nearby.
That pointed to some kind of supernatural ability. Likely a 'spell.'
"No visible injuries. The life support system seems… functioning well."
"Then let's get her out quickly. We've wasted enough time. I understand your feelings, but any further delay could be problematic."
"I know."
Layla placed her hand on the panel beneath the glass cylinder. Sparks flew from her fingertips.
A spell.
In the Polaris universe, it's akin to magic. It's more like unique abilities specific to individuals than general magic.
Kim Ihyun assumed his skill was similar. He wasn't sure of the specifics, though.
Hiss!
With a sound like steam being released, the glass cylinder began to open. The liquid poured out, causing the professor's body to slump as if pushed by a wave.
Layla didn't care that her clothes were getting soaked. She carefully caught the professor, ensuring no harm came to her.
A few moments later.
"Oh…!"
Layla gasped in joy. The professor's lips twitched—a sign of life. Her eyes, then her eyelids, fluttered open.
"It's been a long time, Professor."
"…You, are…?"
"…You've forgotten everything, haven't you? You must be confused, about who I am, even who you are. But."
Layla held the professor's hand tightly. The cold hand gradually warmed.
"You don't have to worry. I remember you, Professor."
Kim Ihyun watched, touched by the scene. It was a genuinely moving moment.
'I didn't really feel it in the game, though.'
Maybe because it was filled with too many unresolved plot points. Initially, he'd grumbled about how unfriendly the prologue was.
Still, well.
'It's like watching a movie, and it's nice.'
The scene of two beautiful women sharing a tender moment was quite a sight.
* * *
Layla and her team exited the cavity and walked along the tracks. The professor was carried on Pavle's back, too weak to move on her own after such a long sleep.
"…Where are we?"
"We're underground in Tullavia."
"Tullavia? I…"
"Don't try to remember too much at once. For now, just focus on your body…"
The dialogue from the game echoed in his ears. Following behind them, Kim Ihyun breathed a sigh of relief.
'I managed to get through it.'
They had talked a lot.
Starting with introductions, he explained his situation in detail. He had come to the station looking for food and supplies, stumbled upon the glass cylinder, and then had to fight off Speeders. After that, he rested until they showed up…
The ratio of truth to lies was about 30:70. It was a decent cover story. There were plenty of scavengers roaming around looking for supplies.
Even if he seemed too clean-cut for a scavenger… well, it couldn't be helped. Everyone has a secret or two, especially strangers.
In any case, it wasn't unnatural for them to travel together for the time being. Their group wasn't large, but the combat strength was decent.
Layla had the potential of a six-star character. She was a special character, set to grow significantly later.
The so-called hope for free-to-play players.
'Though right now, she's at the same level as Pavle, a four-star.'
In real-life terms, four-star isn't a low rank. Kim Ihyun himself was only one-star. By simple calculation, they were four times stronger.
And then there's…
"Hyun. What are your plans going forward?"
Ghost. As mentioned before, he's not a fully playable character. He can only be used in five stages, a special character.
But he's far stronger than Layla and Pavle. At this point, he's the top agent in Selvologics Lab.
"What plans? Scavengers don't plan far ahead. There doesn't seem to be anything left here, so I'll probably leave. After that, who knows."
He hadn't thought much beyond joining them. His main concern was survival.
…No, it was too soon to relax.
"I saw the Speeder corpses. They looked like they were stabbed with something sharp and long, like a spear. Two of them were taken down in one blow each."
"What? Really?"
"Did I get something wrong?"
"No, I'm just surprised at how accurate you were."
It was an honest reaction.
How could he tell at a glance? He hadn't even looked closely enough to remember the exact state of the bodies.
"It looked like you used a spell."
"Do I have to explain that?"
"Your answer just did."
He smirked without a hint of malice.
"But, hmm."
Ghost stopped walking, hesitating. Considering his previous demeanor and in-game personality, it was unusual.
"What I'm about to say might sound rude. But it's not intended as an insult, so don't misunderstand."
"What's it about?"
He was curious after the build-up. Ghost then spoke with a serious look.
"To be honest, you're quite inexperienced."
Kim Ihyun stopped walking. Ghost continued.
"There were stone fragments all over the cavity floor. The way they were scattered gave me an idea of how the fight went. You don't seem to have much
experience."
Blink, blink.
Kim Ihyun stared at Ghost, blinking silently. Ghost exhaled deeply, as if expecting a backlash.
"…That was insensitive. I'm sorry."
He ended the conversation, asking to forget about it. Kim Ihyun finally let out a chuckle.
"No need to apologize. It's fine. Anyone can give advice."
He had wondered what Ghost would say.
It was just the truth. Experience? Does fighting with friends in middle and high school count?
Otherwise, he'd never fought before. And this was against monsters, no less. He had no reason to be upset over being called inexperienced.
Because it was entirely accurate.
"But why? You're not trying to put me down, right? Are you offering to teach me?"
Half-joking, half-hopeful.
He hadn't expected what came next.
"If you want."
"…Really?"
"If you have nowhere else to go, come to Selvologics Lab. The treatment won't be bad. With the professor back, things will get lively. It's a good time to bring in new people."
An invitation to join the player's faction. Not a bad idea. He could fulfill some personal desires as a player, and it would offer safety.
With his knowledge of the game, he could rise through the ranks. There was also the intrigue of watching the professor up close.
But the one issue was…
'Of all people, it had to be you saying this…'
Ghost. An elite agent of Selvologics Lab.
And the first character to die in the storyline.
Rescuing the professor and escaping the subway station covers stages 0-1 and 0-2. After two more stages above ground…
He dies exactly at stage 0-5.