Arnold (holding the summoning fragment):

— I don’t even know what to do with this fragment... This didn’t exist in the original game. And if I remember correctly… this island had five bosses. I’ve only defeated one so far... Four more to go.

[System: Warning!]

Body status critical: You are hungry.

Arnold (holding his stomach):

— Right... I haven’t eaten anything since I got here. How is this even possible in a game? They improved this simulation way too much!

He stumbles through the trees, surrounded by thick fog.

Arnold:

— I can’t see anything... This fog is blinding me. I’ll try heading to the biggest city around here... If I’m not wrong, its name was...

[System: Location detected – City of Alucard]

Arnold:

— That’s it! Alucard... The creepiest city on the server.

Upon arriving, he sees stone towers, improvised markets, guards in black armor, and hooded townsfolk. The vibe is medieval, but dark, as if the city is cursed.

Old Man:

— Hey, boy! Help an old man out! I need to carry these goods to that cart over there!

Arnold (without thinking too much):

— Alright, let’s go.

[System: Secret quest received – “The Weight of Hidden Magic”]

Reward: Magil Fragment

World Soul Sword progress: missing item: 15 → 14

Arnold (smiling):

— Nice! Finally one of the World Soul Sword pieces. Even a silly mission helped...

Arnold (looking around the city):

— Now, food! I can’t take it anymore...

He approaches a small stand barely visible through the fog. A hooded man is selling just a single apple.

Arnold (thinking):

— It’s the only apple in the city... I can’t miss it.

Arnold:

— Hey, how much for this apple?

NPC (soft voice):

— One silver.

Arnold:

— Here. (hands him the coin)

NPC:

— Thank you... Come again...

[System: Alert!]

Elite Marines detected in the city. Proximity: HIGH

Target: Fugitive Codename “Crow,” unknown level.

Status: Interaction with wanted target confirmed.

Arnold (eating the apple, looking to the side):

— Wait... “Crow”? But… that’s the name of the wanted NPC! I... I just bought an apple from one of the most hunted criminals?

[System: COMBAT ALERT IMMINENT]

Three Elite Marine members detected.

Arnold (yelling):

— Crap, I got distracted!

Three soldiers emerge from the fog, wearing long cloaks and black armor with glowing red emblems on their chests. One of them points his sword at Arnold.

Marine Soldier:

— You! You just interacted with a wanted fugitive! That’s complicity! Surrender now!

Arnold (drawing his sword):

— It was an accident, man! I just wanted to eat an apple!

[System: Battle initiated!]

The first soldier charges with a horizontal slash. Arnold dodges using his newly boosted speed.

— “They’re fast, but now I am too!”

Arnold rolls on the ground, quickly gets up, and counters with a slash that hits the enemy’s arm.

[System: CRITICAL – Strength +50 applied!]

[Enemy: 40% HP remaining]

The second soldier sneaks up from behind and tries to grab him, but Arnold instinctively activates a new vision ability:

[Detection Radar activated – ambush avoided]

Arnold spins and lands a knee to the soldier’s stomach, throwing him backward.

Arnold (sweating):

— I’m getting good at this... But there’s still the leader...

From the fog, a warrior with red eyes and a flaming sword emerges.

Marine Leader:

— You... weren’t supposed to be here, player... But since you are, entertain me.

Arnold (gripping his sword):

— Then bring it on! I just wanted to eat, but if it’s a fight you want... I’LL FIGHT WITH EVERYTHING I’VE GOT!

They charge at each other. Swords collide, sparks fly. The ground trembles with each blow. The leader unleashes a wave of flames, and Arnold uses his Energy to form an improvised shield.

[System: Improvised technique – Energy Shield Level 1 created]

Arnold (resisting the force of the attack):

— I won’t lose... I still have so much to uncover!

With a shout, he unleashes part of his energy and pushes the leader back with a powerful side strike, creating a crater in the ground.

[System: Combat ended – Enemy forced to retreat]

Arnold (gasping):

— I survived... And got another fragment...

[System: Survival reward – Magil Fragment x1 acquired]

World Soul Sword: missing item: 14

---

Arnold (walking slowly through the city):

— This game is getting too real... What if I really am the heir to all of this?