Ji‑ho stood still as the latest pop‑up faded. Without rushing, he began checking his body, turning in a slow, steady circle. Each motion was deliberate, almost meditative, as if he was simply confirming his body rather than reacting to anything unusual. A few players glanced at him with puzzled expressions, but Ji‑ho didn't pay them any mind.
His gaze lowered briefly, noting the plain fabric draped over him — coarse, unadorned, the kind of basic clothing worn by commoners. No armor, no embellishment, just simple garments that marked him as ordinary. He brushed the hem once, as if to confirm its texture, then let the thought pass without comment.
He paused and breathed gently. A soft exhale.
'…So I'm a rabbit.'
There were no long ears or dramatic features, but the small, fluffy tail attached to his lower back was unmistakable. He studied it with quiet acceptance rather than embarrassment.
'If I cover the tail, I should be able to pass as human without many problems.'
A soft chime echoed.
[ A quest 'Go back Home' was created. ]
—————
[ You are part of the 'Hare Tribe' ]
The Hare Tribe is a secluded race native to Willowstep Refuge, a forest village shrouded in ancient mist and shifting paths. Known for their heightened agility and perceptive instincts, they thrive in environments where silence and awareness are key. Their settlements blend seamlessly into the natural landscape, often hidden from outsiders through ancestral magic. Reserved but not unfriendly, members of the Hare Tribe look after their own, guarding traditions passed down through generations and protecting sacred knowledge tied to their homeland.
—————
[ Go back Home (A) ]
Difficulty: A
Quest Type: Exploration
A quiet ache stirs within you. An unfamiliar longing for a place you have never consciously visited. Though your mind denies it, your body remembers the gentle stillness of Willowstep Refuge. The instincts of the Hare Tribe surface, guiding you toward the mist‑bound homeland.
— There is no time limit for this quest.
Quest Clear Condition: Return to the Hare Tribe's village, Willowstep Refuge
Quest Clear Reward: Increased affinity with the Hare Tribe members, affinity with the tribe's leader will exponentially increase and will have the right to learn the hidden secret of the tribe
—————
The notification lingered in front of him, glowing softly.
[ Would you like to accept the quest? ]
—————
Ji‑ho stared at the prompt for a moment, expression steady and unreadable. There was no hint of frustration or surprise, just calm observation, as if he were merely confirming another system detail.
'Homesick… though I've barely even started.'
Without a word, he lifted his hand and pressed Yes.
The window dissolved instantly.
'Are quests going to keep appearing at random like this?'
Then, like a spark in the dark, a memory jolted him, the thing that happened during character creation. He remembered it clearly, his real name had appeared for a moment, unprompted, and Alice had spoken it aloud without hesitation. Kim Ji‑ho.
His pulse quickened.
'That wasn't a mistake. I saw it. She said it.'
Without hesitation, Ji‑ho snapped open his menu, rushed and almost frantic. His finger jabbed through the interface until the profile panel shimmered into view.
—————
[ Player Information ]
Name: Shade
Class: Spellweaver
Level: 1
—————
The contradiction hit him like a weight.
'But I saw my name. Alice called me by it. So why is it gone now?'
His breath slowed, but his eyes stayed locked on the panel, suspicion burning beneath the fatigue.
After a while, a weight pressed against his back. Someone had crept up behind him and abruptly climbed onto his shoulders.
"Finally found you!" The voice was annoyingly familiar.
Ji‑ho's eyes narrowed, irritation cutting through the haze of doubt.
"Are you finally acknowledging you're a monkey? You keep climbing on my back these days."
The figure laughed, unbothered by the jab, and leaned forward to ruffle his hair with exaggerated mischief.
"Come on, Shade, don't act like you hate it. You'd be lost without me."
Ji‑ho tilted his head just enough to glare at him from the corner of his eye. "…Hyun‑soo."
"Don't give me that look," Hyun‑soo teased, dangling from his shoulders like it was the most natural perch in the world. "You've been staring at menus like they're going to bite you. What's so fascinating about a bunch of glowing text?"
Ji‑ho exhaled through his nose, the tension in his shoulders easing despite himself, "Nothing worth your curiosity."
Hyun‑soo leaned forward, dangling from his shoulders, refusing to let go. "Nothing? Come on. You're glaring at menus like they insulted your family. What did it say? Stats? Skills? Did you finally get a quest worth bragging about?"
Ji‑ho exhaled through his nose, "You're persistent, aren't you?"
Hyun‑soo grinned, tightening his grip like a child refusing to be shaken off. "Persistent, stubborn, relentless, pick your favorite. I'm not letting go until you spill."
Ji‑ho's eyes narrowed, but the corner of his mouth twitched as if suppressing a sigh.
"You're insufferable."
"Insufferable, but entertaining," Hyun‑soo shot back, rocking slightly on Ji‑ho's shoulders. "So? Show me. Unless you're hiding something embarrassing, like a quest to collect garbages."
Ji‑ho closed his eyes for a moment, weighing silence against the inevitable. Hyun‑soo's words pressed on, poking at every silence.
"Come on, Ji-ho. Don't make me play twenty questions. If you keep quiet, I'll start singing off‑key."
Ji‑ho's jaw tightened. Finally, with a resigned motion, he reopened the panel and tilted it just enough for Hyun‑soo to see.
Hyun‑soo's eyes widened, his grin stretching even further. "Whoa. That's not cabbages. This is huge!"
He slid off Ji‑ho's shoulders with a nimble hop, circling around to face him directly. His grin was irrepressible and his energy was buzzing like static.
"So you really are the chosen one, huh? And you were going to keep this from me? Tsk, tsk. Am I not your friend?"
Ji‑ho gave him a flat look, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "You're loud enough without knowing everything."
Hyun‑soo leaned in, his grin fading into something softer. His eyes widened, round and pleading, the kind of look that made him seem more like a stubborn puppy than a mischievous monkey.
"Am I not your friend? Am I not your friend?" he repeated, voice dipping into an uncomfortable earnestness.
Before Ji‑ho could reply, the air shimmered. A glowing panel suddenly materialized in front of Hyun‑soo's face.
Hyun‑soo flinched, eyes widening as he instinctively leaned back. "W‑what the?!" His grin faltered, replaced by startled disbelief.
[ The God of Magic, Albus finds your antics… amusing. Progress has been accelerated. ]
—————
[ Unique Skill: Albus' Blessing ]
God of Magic, Albus watches those under his care with a careful eye. Certain conditions can draw his attention.
Progress: 15.00%
—————
Hyun‑soo blinked, then broke into a nervous laugh. "Wait, he thinks I'm funny? Ji-ho, even gods appreciate my charm!" Still chuckling, he tossed the name out without thinking, "Albus sure has good taste."
Ji‑ho's eyes narrowed, studying Hyun‑soo more closely. The casual invocation of the god's name wasn't something outsiders should know, not unless they carried the same mark.
For the first time, Ji‑ho noticed the faint twitch of rounded ears peeking through Hyun‑soo's hair. Not human ears, but the soft, furred curve of a Byuma, "You're a Byuma."
Hyun‑soo froze, his grin faltering into sheepish surprise. He reached up instinctively, brushing his hair back as if to hide the ears. "Ah, well, you weren't supposed to notice that so soon."
Curious of how it feels, Ji‑ho slowly circled around him and stopped behind his back. His hand reached out toward the fluffy bear ears, brushing against them with a quiet fascination.
Hyun‑soo stiffened for a moment, then let out a nervous chuckle, scratching his cheek as if embarrassed. He didn't push Ji‑ho away, though instead, he simply let him do what he wanted, his usual playful energy dimmed by the sudden vulnerability.
But as Ji‑ho's fingers brushed the soft fur, the air shimmered. A glowing panel suddenly materialized again before Hyun‑soo.
[ The God of Magic, Albus has noticed the clashing bond between you and his successor. Progress has been altered. To test the strength of this bond, a separate quest has been bestowed. ]
[ Declining this quest will reset your progress with the God of Magic, Albus back to zero. ]
[ Would you like to accept his quest? Upon accepting, progress will greatly increase. ]
Hyun‑soo's eyes darted across the glowing panel. Without thinking much, he pressed the Yes button.
[ You have accepted the quest 'Trial of the Loyal Retainer' ]
—————
[ Trial of the Loyal Retainer (SSS+) ]
Difficulty: SSS+
Quest Type: Divine Binding
The God of Magic, Albus has witnessed your endurance through hardship and conflict. Amused by your perseverance, he has bound you as the loyal retainer of his successor. Your fate is no longer your own — it is entwined with the successor's journey, until the end of his divine trial.
— There is no time limit
— You cannot withdraw
— Should Albus grow dissatisfied, this quest will vanish, and so will your bond
Betrayal Penalty: The skill 'Albus' Curse' will be created
[ Penalty Passive: Albus Curse ]
Only Albus himself can cleanse the curse. No one knows how, when, or where it will be undone.
Effect: All stats, primary and secondary will be permanently halved
Character Points: Character Points will be permanently halved
—
Quest Clear Condition: Assist Albus' Successor until he completes the quest 'Albus' Successor'
Quest Clear Reward: Unknown
Quest Acceptance Reward: The skill 'A Retainer's Loyalty' has been created
[ Passive Skill: A Retainer's Loyalty ]
Your loyalty towards the Albus' successor will be greatly rewarded.
Effect: All secondary stats increase by 5% while Albus' Successor is in the party
Character Points: 3,000P
—
The skill 'Void' has been created.
[ Unique Skill: Void ]
Type: Movement
Categorization: Unique
Rating: F (Upgradeable through usage)
Effect: Transcend space and time for 3 seconds
Penalty: Take double damage for 15 seconds
Mana Cost: Half of the remaining MP
Cooldown: 500 seconds
Special Note: Duration, penalties, cooldown and mana costs will improve as the skill's rating increases.
Character Points: 7,000P
—
Quest Failure Penalty: Affinity with Albus will vanish forever. All related quests will be destroyed.
[ Quest in progress ]
—————
Another pop‑up screen shimmered into existence.
[ The God of Magic, Albus finds was deeply pleased by your courageous decision. Progress has been accelerated. ]
—————
[ Unique Skill: Albus' Blessing ]
God of Magic, Albus watches those under his care with a careful eye. Certain conditions can draw his attention.
Progress: 23.00%
—————
Ji‑ho, on the other hand, momentarily halted as another set of pop‑up screens circled around him, glowing with divine authority.
[ Specific conditions has been met! ]
[ You have gained a follower! ]
—————
[ Albus Successor's Followers ( 1/10 ) ]
Player: Hyun‑soo
Class: Musketeer
Level: 1
For each successful acquisition of followers, 5,000P will be granted.
Current Character Points Attained: 5,000CP
—————
[ The skill 'Follower's Loyalty' has been created. ]
—————
[ Passive Skill: Follower's Loyalty ]
Every loyalty counts and will make you grow stronger!
Effect: All secondary stats will greatly increase by 3% for every follower inside your party.
Character Points: 5,000CP
—————
Hyun‑soo was celebrating on his own after that unexpected boost from the God of Magic. He was totally happy and cheerful, grinning ear to ear as he instantly gained an additional 10,000 Character Points just from accepting the quest. But Hyun‑soo's celebration didn't last long. A chill crept down his spine as he gradually felt something menacing behind his back. The cheerful grin froze on his face, replaced by unease.
[ Player 'Shade' has invited you into his party ]
[ Would you like to accept his invitation? ]
Ji‑ho's voice cut through the silence, low and commanding. "Now, accept it."
Hyun‑soo swallowed hard, his earlier joy dissolving into nervous energy. With trembling fingers, he pressed the confirmation button.
[ The skill 'Follower's Loyalty' has been activated ]
[ The skill 'A Retainer's Loyalty' has been activated ]