While we waited for the results, a brief silence fell between the three of us. In truth, we were all thinking the same thing.
“……If I’d known this was coming.”
“Should’ve gone with Architect.”
“Yeah, seriously.”
Tap tap tap!
Clack clack clack
From the meeting room where the elder skeletons were deliberating, the sound of tapping leaked out. They seemed to be actively exchanging opinions.
Bori Noona, who had been anxiously biting her nails, grabbed my wrist.
“Woo-rim, can we talk for a moment?”
“Yes, of course. Please excuse me for a bit,”
After excusing myself to Kebab, I stepped out of the sanctuary.
“Yes, Bori?”
“Woo-rim. I didn’t say anything because you asked me not to, but… if the rules are going to change… I think we need to tell Kebab. About you being trapped in this game.”
“No, leave it.”
“Woo-rim. This isn’t just about consideration or fair play. And it’s definitely not about being a burden. The moment your survival came into play, this stopped being just a fun game. That’s why we need to ask for help—whatever it takes. Because… if the rules change, there’s no guarantee you’ll win. This isn’t the time to be overconfident.”
Bori Noona spoke firmly.
She was right. Telling her not to say anything was ultimately my own stubbornness.
“Thank you, Bori. If the situation worsens, I’ll tell him then.”
I had no intention of playing fair. But I also did not want to use my life to intimidate someone who was passionately doing their best.
Even I found my actions foolish, but I had lived my life being stubborn like this.
To be honest, I already felt guilty for having used Jung Da-hoon as a mere chess piece in this game.
…Yes, for some people, this was just a simple game. A game that had not even officially launched yet. But for someone like me, whose life was heavily intertwined with gaming, sacrificing someone else’s passion for my own sake was something I wanted to avoid as much as possible.
“Got it. I’m not sure if Kebab will believe me, but… if things go south, I’ll either convince him… or knock him out cold with a frying pan.”
“Understood.”
Still, I did not want to entirely refuse her goodwill.
‘If it were just me, I probably would’ve refused stubbornly.’
But my victory was tied to Kessler’s life as well. This was the point of compromise we had reached.
“R-Right…”
When we returned, obviously having had a private conversation, Kebab, who had been nervously watching us, greeted us carefully.
“Why are you so stiff? Afraid we were talking behind your back or something?”
Kebab gave a small, sheepish nod.
“Well, we did have a somewhat similar conversation.”
While the silence lingered and our gazes crossed awkwardly, the elder skeletons finally emerged from the meeting room, signaling the end of their conference.
“Player ‘KebabGudasaai’—we present a revised proposal based on your input.”
Joint Quest: <3-Person Shadow Atonement Tower Building>
The Lord of the Shadow Castle must atone immediately. However, for unknown reasons, they refuse to leave the castle. Work together as a team of three to construct the Atonement Tower—an improvised prison—for the sake of the Lord.
—You have obtained the ‘Required Item List for Shadow Branch Establishment.’
—You have obtained ‘Quest Support Supplies.’
—Time Limit: None
—Quest Difficulty: Unknown
※ A joint victory for all three players is possible.
“Wait, what?! That last part—are you serious?”
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a solo mode? Did this just turn into squad mode?”
“We don’t have to compete by contribution score anymore. Damn… I knew the game allowed for freedom, but I didn’t think this level of flexibility was on the table.”
Suddenly, we were saddled with collective responsibility. Everyone was jumping for joy at this unexpected turn, but when I raised one hand with a serious expression, the mood instantly shifted.
“I object.”
[System]: You do not have permission to raise objections.
“Kebab, can you object?”
“Nope. You only get one per quest, and I already used mine… Why? What’s wrong?”
“You’re happy because of the difficulty rating, right?”
Difficulty: Unknown. That was the notice given when the difficulty was off the charts—unquantifiable by standard metrics.
The moment the quest shifted to a joint mission, the difficulty had skyrocketed. And that ‘No Time Limit’ part made me extremely uneasy.
I glared sharply at the backs of the elder skeletons as they quickly shuffled away. In accepting the objection, the direction they had chosen was crystal clear.
“What would you guys think if a subway transfer station were built in your neighborhood?”
“I’m renting month-to-month, so if the rent goes up, I’d have to move… so I’m against it.”
“I’m against it too, since I’m on a lease!! But if I were the landlord, I’d be thrilled. Property value goes up, right?”
The two answered my sudden question, their faces clearly showing they did not understand the relevance.
“That’s what the Shadow Atonement Tower is. A structure that’s going to send Shadow Castle’s land value through the roof. And those Elder Skellies? They’re the landlords who stand to benefit directly.”
“……”
“So basically… it’s like residents of Gangwon-do throwing a tantrum, demanding that Seoul Metro Line 2 be extended all the way out to them.”
“……”
“Take a look at the ‘Required Item List for Shadow Branch Establishment.’ See that ‘Approval Document for the Shadow Atonement Tower Branch’? We have to go all the way to the Shadow Prison to get that.”
“Oh… So you can’t just get the lord’s approval? You actually have to leave the castle? Can we use this train ticket for that?!”
“Oh my god, I’m excited… This’ll be the first time I’ve gone outside the castle since the wolf hunt.”
This was nothing to get excited about. If we were not careful, we could end up stuck here like wandering spirits until the official server launch… No, wait a moment.
I glanced through the items I had just received for quest support.
—Provided Items: Blueprint for the Shadow Atonement Prison, Unlimited Train Pass
Unlimited Train Pass.
A ticket with no restrictions, blatantly encouraging us to go and obtain the contract.
“Let’s try to think of it in a good light. There’s no time limit anyway—let’s make a trip out of it! Woo-rim, you’ve been to the Shadow Atonement Tower before, right? What do you think?”
The reason I was so desperate to win was ultimately to obtain this ticket.
“This game… lets you quit midway.”
An unlimited-use pass with no designated destination. If I simply board the train and leave… I might actually be able to escape.
“Huh, you’re right? If we leave on this thing, does the game just end? Still, let’s try to finish it anyway. Should we head to the Shadow Prison or whatever and get that approval? Woo-rim? Bori?”
“Yes!! Actually… I kind of love this.”
Nod.
“Woo-rim, Bori—then how about we pack our travel bags and meet back here?”
“Great! I’ll go pack up now!”
“Sounds good.”
After making plans with the two, who were giddy with excitement, I quietly made my way back into the castle.
“…Hey. We agreed you’d wake up today.”
I arrived at Kessler’s room. Opening his coffin, I looked down at him still fast asleep.
“Lying there like this…”
His perfectly straight eyelashes made him look like a finely crafted doll.
Suddenly frightened, I shook him to wake him quickly. But he only rocked roughly with my movement, never opening his eyes.
– Do not touch.
The cleaning skeleton, flustered beside me, tried to stop my actions.
– Careful, careful. Kessler is precious.
“Okay. Sorry.”
The skeleton put its palms together and pressed them to its left cheek, mimicking sleep.
– Kessler needs sleepy-sleep.
And just like that, the skeleton fell asleep as well, collapsing to the floor. I carefully realigned its scattered bones and stood up.
“I’ll be back.”
Leaving Kessler behind, there was nothing else but to move forward now.
***
“Woo-rim! Over here!”
Bori Noona, carrying a suitcase plastered with stickers, and Kebab, wearing a frog-eye headband, waved at me.
“Why didn’t you bring anything?”
“I’ve got an inventory system. Didn’t really need extra bags.”
“But come on, if you can’t enjoy the mood on a trip like this, when can you? I checked the train schedule—next train’s in 40 minutes.”
“Yeah, I saw that too.”
“I’m really looking forward to it. Seeing the world outside the Shadow Castle.”
“…Before we go, I have something to tell you both.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I’ll probably have to split off halfway through.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Personal quest. So… if it’s okay with you two, please head to the Shadow Tower and secure the contract yourselves.”
There was not much point in me going anyway. As long as Kebab, the strategist, was there, it would be fine.
“Okay, understood.”
“Woo-rim, is something wrong? If it’s dangerous…”
“I’m heading to the Garbage Disposal Site. To find a discarded shadow.”
“…A discarded shadow?”
“Yes. The forgotten lord of the castle is there. I’ll join you later if I can. It’s not far from the prison tower anyway.”
“Can you tell us more?”
I struggled with where to begin but chose the simplest method. Bori Noona would likely fill in the gaps anyway since she had a rough understanding already.
“Have either of you been to the beta tester orientation? You know the game’s backstory, right?”
“Yes, we’re familiar.”
“Then here goes. Once upon a time, there was this guy named Yeo Woo-rim—a gamer who made his living through games—who got invited to participate in the alpha test…”
