Chapter 2

Arche Online.

Developed by Super Physics and released in the year 20XX, it is considered a legendary masterpiece of virtual reality gaming.

Among the flood of virtual reality games, Arche Online stood out in a league of its own.

With its high-quality graphics, sensory synchronization, and NPCs with AI that could easily pass advanced Turing tests, it was an exceptional game.

However, what truly set Arche Online apart and earned it widespread acclaim was its world-building system.

Each player was given a unique Seed.

Based on this Seed, the AI would generate an entire world.

For some, it would be an apocalyptic setting.

For others, a martial arts fantasy world.

For another, a medieval fantasy kingdom.

Every player was assigned a completely different world to explore.

These AI-generated worlds weren’t just generic settings.

They had detailed histories that felt as if they could truly exist, intriguing NPCs with realistic personalities, and an immersive lore without any inconsistencies.

The sheer perfection of these worlds led to wild rumors—some even speculated that Arche Online was secretly developed using abducted aliens to create such advanced AI and world-building.

Then, one day, an event occurred that reignited these rumors.

Exactly one year after its launch, Super Physics introduced an experimental new mode—a revolutionary feature called Real Mode.

Even before this, Arche Online had photo-realistic graphics and full sensory synchronization that blurred the line between game and reality.

But with Real Mode, these aspects were pushed to an entirely new level.

The AI-driven NPCs became so advanced that people wondered if actual humans were controlling them.

However, with these advancements came major downsides.

• No respawns.
  In most games, players can revive after death, but not in Real Mode.
  Once you died, that was it. The developers claimed this was for realism, but losing a carefully nurtured character in a single mistake?
  It was too brutal for ordinary gamers.
• Trauma and psychological effects.
  The ultra-realistic graphics and sensory synchronization made traumatic in-game experiences bleed into real life.
  Some players suffered from real-life PTSD due to horrifying encounters in the game.
• Pain synchronization.
  Getting cut by a sword in-game wasn’t as painful as in real life, but it was still painful enough to deter casual players.
  Who would willingly suffer just to play a game?
• Uncanny NPCs.
  NPCs were too realistic—to the point where interacting with them became unsettling.
  Some players developed trust issues after encountering treacherous NPCs, while others fell into despair when kind NPCs died.

Realizing that Real Mode was too intense for the general player base, the developers limited access to only a handful of top-ranked players after a closed beta test.

Along with the release of Real Mode, Super Physics made a shocking announcement:

“Anyone who clears Real Mode will receive a share of the game’s total revenue.”

A rough estimate placed this reward at over 50 billion won—a staggering amount of money, enough to last multiple lifetimes.

Naturally, those who received access to Real Mode rushed in like pirates chasing buried treasure.

And among them was Haru.

[Scene Transition]

“Wow~! Real Mode is finally here!”

• I heard it’s on a whole new level compared to the original Arche Online.
• No way, it’s too hardcore for me.
• This mode is made for no-life gamers like Haru.

“No-life gamer?! And what do you mean I have no friends?! That’s too harsh!”

If you play for 15 hours a day, you’re officially a no-life gamer.

“Okay, fine… I admit I’m a no-life gamer. But I do have friends!”

Then name one.

“Uh… Sian… and… uh…”

We’ve decided that if you only have one friend, you have no friends.

“Haah… Fine. I admit it… But stop bullying me!”

• Beating up Haru is always fun.
• The hit effects are amazing.
• Even I feel secondhand embarrassment watching this.

“Stop, stop! I feel pain too, you know! If you keep this up, I’ll start swinging my sword!”

• I didn’t say anything!
• It was my cat typing!

“Good. Order has been restored. Now… let’s start the game!”

[Haru Login Confirmed.]

[Would you like to enable Real Mode?]

[Y/N]

“Of course, YES!”

[Real Mode Activated.]

[Generating Seed…]

[Seed Generation Complete.]

[Would you like a brief introduction to your world?]

[Y/N]

“Yes again!”

[World Overview: The Labyrinth City of the Eden Continent]

A city so vast that it could be mistaken for an independent nation.

It is called the Labyrinth City because it was built on top of a massive labyrinth.

The city thrives on the abundant resources from the labyrinth, including:

• Materials from corrupted demons and monsters (formerly humans, animals, or plants that fell into darkness).
• Monster hearts and magic stones, which serve as vital power sources.

A powerful barrier is required to prevent miasma from leaking outside the city.

Maintaining this barrier demands an enormous supply of magic stones.

Additionally, the city needs a constant supply of monster materials for weapons and armor—essential for defending against:

• Demons that invade from outside.
• Witches who worship these demons.
• Corrupted creatures transformed by demonic influence.

Naturally, humans gathered in the labyrinth to survive and eventually formed a city.

However, the Labyrinth City was now facing a crisis.

Humans who had fallen and turned into demons while still retaining their intelligence had formed tribes outside the city, growing in strength.

Meanwhile, demons, along with witches who worshiped them, threatened the city.

Yet, rather than uniting to defend against external threats, the priests who were supposed to believe in God had become corrupt.

The adventurers in the guild indulged in their desires, prioritizing their wealth and fame.

The council members, who should have been guiding the city on the right path, raised private militias and engaged in internal strife.

The military was constantly watching for an opportunity to seize control of the council and the church, while the mayor of the city—who was supposed to lead it to prosperity—had become nothing more than a puppet of the military.

Labyrinth City was like a candle flickering in the wind, on the brink of disaster.

But the biggest problem was that most of its residents were unaware of the imminent danger.

Labyrinth City needed a hero.

Could you become the hero who would protect the city from the looming threats?

“Umm… I think I got into something way too difficult… Just listening to the explanation makes me feel suffocated…”

• Looks like you picked a super hard world setting.
• Can’t you reset?
• If you reset, you lose access to Real Mode, so resetting isn’t possible.
• You’re screwed, lol.

“Haah… Well, there’s no choice now. I mean, the world description sounds tough, but maybe the game itself isn’t that bad?”

• Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that, lol.
• Denial at its finest, haha.

“Alright, let’s continue. Hmm… character selection. Let’s see… Candidate for Saintess, Ailia. Daughter of a current council member, Ionic. Veteran adventurer, Anne. Monster researcher, Ana. Well, at least the choices aren’t all beggars or something, so that’s a relief.”

• If that were the case, you’d get a game over the moment you started, lol.
• The world already looks brutal, so if your starting character is weak, you might as well quit.

Then, one character caught Haru’s eye.

A girl with shoulder-length black hair and deep brown eyes that seemed to pull you in.

Flawless, fair skin.

A pure, unblemished smile.

A character who radiated warmth and strong determination, standing in stark contrast to the grim backdrop.

*”Haru Euphoria. The only daughter of the Euphoria family, a noble house with some influence in Labyrinth City. Her father is a high-ranking mage and a professor at the Magic Tower, while her mother, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, possesses considerable assets.

Both were reputed to be outstanding individuals of great character, and their daughter, Haru Euphoria, was raised in a privileged and loving environment.

From a young age, Haru Euphoria displayed a talent for monster summoning, forging contracts with creatures and honing her skills. She earned her official monster summoner certification at a relatively young age.

Now, Haru Euphoria is about to take her first steps as a monster summoner in this perilous Labyrinth City.”*

“Oh wow, that’s the same name as my username. Haru. I’ll pick this one.”

• You’re choosing just because of the name?
• Maybe think about it a little more?
• Classic reckless Haru.

[Are you sure you want to choose Haru Euphoria?]

“Yes.”

[You are now Haru Euphoria. May your adventure be filled with light.]

“Ugh… My head…”

Haru groaned as if experiencing a hangover.

She lifted the luxurious blanket covering her body and sat up in bed.

“Ah… Milady?”

A surprised voice came from beside her.

A woman in a maid uniform was staring at her in shock.

“Milady?”

Unfamiliar with the title, Haru tilted her head in confusion.

“Master! Madam! The young lady has awakened!”

The maid bolted out of the room at full speed.

• Wow, a maid outfit.
• Damn, the graphics are insane. It’s indistinguishable from reality.
• The NPCs move so naturally. Their facial expressions and movements are incredibly lifelike.

“Wow… I seriously can’t tell this apart from reality.”

Haru muttered as she ran her hand over the blanket.

“This soft texture…”

She took a deep breath.

“The calming scent of wooden furniture…”

As she stepped off the bed, she murmured,

“Even the sensation of walking… It’s so real, it’s terrifying.”

She spent a long time testing her senses, unable to shake off the overwhelming emotion welling up inside her.

“Huh…?”

A single tear trickled down her cheek.

• Wait, why is she suddenly crying?
• Is she that touched by the realism?
• Wow, how real does it have to be to make someone cry? I want to try Real Mode too!
• Super Physics, release Real Mode now!

“Ahaha… Sorry… It’s just so real that I started crying… I’ll stop soon.”

Despite saying that, Haru suddenly collapsed to the floor and started sobbing uncontrollably.

• Haru, what’s wrong…?
• Is it our fault for teasing you…?
• Stop crying… This is getting scary…

“S-sniff… S-sorry… Sniff… I don’t know why I’m like this… Haha…”

“Haru!!”

The door burst open, and a middle-aged man and woman rushed into the room.

The woman, aside from her blonde hair, looked almost identical to Haru Euphoria.

The man had the same jet-black hair as her.

“You’re awake! We were so worried about you…! We thought something terrible had happened… But why are you crying? Are you hurt? Our Haru!”

“Haru… My daughter…”

The middle-aged woman embraced Haru tightly, speaking softly as she gently stroked her back—comforting her, letting her feel warmth, and allowing her to sense their shared presence.

“Haru… My daughter… Our daughter… I’m so glad you’re awake… I’m so, so glad you’re awake…”

Haru, too, clung tightly to the woman.