"So, you're studying for the police exam, Leah?"
"Yes, that’s right. I want to dedicate myself to creating a just society."

Sitting on a bench in front of the library, I was deep in conversation with Leah. By casually greeting her every day at the library under the pretense of studying, I had managed to get closer to her. She probably has no idea that all of this was part of my plan.

"But there’s something I’m curious about."
"Ask me anything!"

When I looked at her with shining eyes, she turned her head quickly, looking embarrassed.

Too cute!

"So why were you hiding in the corner of the library every day, waiting for me?"
"H-how did you know!?"
"Isn’t it stranger to *not* notice?"

She avoided my gaze as she spoke. How did she know!? I thought my hiding spot was perfect!

"Kyuung."
"You’re saying it was obvious!? You should’ve told me sooner!"

While I was pressing Yong-yong’s cheeks, Leah watched with a curious expression.

"Interesting. Is that creature also from another race? It doesn’t look like an ordinary snake."
"Of course! Yong-yong is a dragon!"
"Huh? Oh… I see."

Judging by her look, she doesn’t believe me.

Not that I can exactly show her proof…

Anyway, the reason I was waiting for Leah was simple.

"I wanted to get closer to you!"
"With me? Why?"
"Who needs a reason to make friends?"

She looked at me, baffled, but then laughed, saying she was happy to have such an interesting friend.

Was that a compliment?

"By the way, did you hear? They officially released a game called *Arcana Online*."
"Huh? What game?"
"*Arcana Online*."

What…? They released *what*? Arcana Online?

She showed me a video on her phone—it was identical.

The *Arcana Online* I used to play.

"I was planning to try it at home. Do you want to join me, Yuna? I’m thinking of creating a guild."
"Do you have a guild name in mind?"
"Of course! I’ll call it the *Frey* Guild!"

Leah explained that the name comes from a Norse god of peace, prosperity, and sunshine.

"Peace! Isn’t it wonderful? I want to create a peaceful guild and go on adventures together!"
"Yes, a peaceful little coup together."
"Huh? Coup?"

I brushed it off, saying I’d buy the game system on my way home, and she took my hands in excitement.

"Ahh! Thank you so much! I was scared to start a guild alone since I don’t have many friends. Having you makes me feel so reassured!"
"Hehe, it’s no big deal."

After finishing my study session at the library, I stopped by a department store to buy the gaming system on my way home.

It was more expensive than I thought, and I ended up using all my emergency money.

Where did all my money go…?

I was trying to sneak into my room with the game console in hand when I ran into my mom.

"You're back late today! Oh my, what’s that?"
"Huh? Oh, it’s nothing."
"It’s not a game console, is it? Right?"

With a bright smile, she took the console from me to check it. Yep, it’s a game console.

"Didn’t you say you wouldn’t play games until you passed your exams?"
"Even students retaking exams need stress relief!"

I couldn’t meet her gaze and looked around nervously until I heard her laughing.

"Haha, my dear daughter. Can you promise to only play for two hours a day?"
"Three hours…?"
"Two hours. Understood?"
"Yes…"

After getting a playful smack on the back, I went up to my room and set up the console.

It looked exactly like the one I used before. How is this possible?

I was about to log into the game when—

"Kyuung."
"Huh? You can join too, Yong-yong?"
"Kyuung!"

Yong-yong grinned confidently, as if to say that being a dragon meant he could do anything.

I told him to meet me in the game world and logged in.

A familiar sight appeared before my eyes.

[Welcome to the Arcana Continent.]

[Data found. Would you like to load it?]
Accept / Decline

There’s data left? How?

I pressed “Accept,” and a bright light filled my vision.

Then, as the light faded, I found myself in a familiar setting.

"This is… the Cradle Village."

It was the starting village, home to people like Uncle Charles and Sister Beliar.

With trembling steps, I made my way to the Moonlight Inn and opened the door. Sister Beliar greeted me with a bright smile.

"Welcome! Oh, what brings you here, young lady?"
"I’m planning to stay for a few days."
"Good choice! Our Moonlight Inn is the best in Cradle Village!"
"Aren’t we the only inn in Cradle Village?"
"Exactly! Now, take a seat!"

She seated me and then disappeared into the kitchen, asking me to wait for a moment.

What is going on?

Why is my data still here, and why is everything exactly the same?

Do I still have my items?

I opened my inventory to check, and everything was there.

Even my level and skills were the same.

After a quick look, I realized that the average level of current ranked players was around 30.

But my level was over 200. Isn’t this completely unbalanced?

Just then, Sister Beliar returned with a tray of food.

A warm stew, sausages, scrambled eggs, and soft bread—a hearty meal.

"Go on, try it! Isn’t it delicious?"
"Thank you for the food!"

I tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in the stew. It tasted just as I remembered.

"It’s delicious."
"Right? Eat as much as you like."

After finishing my meal, I told her I’d be stepping out and left the inn, heading toward the village gate to find Uncle Charles.

As I approached, I saw Uncle Charles standing guard, just as I remembered.

"Young lady, why are you going out at this hour?"

The same words, the same expression.

Should I have a little fun?

Putting on a sad face, I shared my “situation” with him.

"I need to go earn some money."

The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.

"Oh no…"
"Do you have no guardian…?"
"No, I’m all by myself."

With a tearful expression, he handed me something.

"Take this and stay strong."

The guards at the gate, one by one, handed me small pouches of money, saying they hoped it would help. I tried to refuse, but each refusal only got me more pouches.

I thanked them, and they told me not to give up, urging me to find Captain Charles if I ever faced trouble.

With my arms full of pouches, I headed toward the hunting grounds, smiling.

---

At the same time, an anomaly was detected in the AI system "Eve," which managed *Arcana Online*.

"Team leader! We have an emergency! We found an anomaly in Eve’s system!"

The research team scrambled to check, discovering data they’d never seen before.

Since *Arcana Online*’s official launch, the highest ranked players had levels in the low 30s. Suddenly, a player with a level over 200 had appeared.

And they had overpowered skills and items that hadn’t been seen before.

"Could it be a hacker or a bug user? Ban them immediately."
"But… there’s no sign of hacking or bugs. We can’t ban them."
"What!?"

All of *Arcana Online*’s systems were managed by the AI Eve, with humans only playing a supporting role. This meant they had no direct means to intervene.

"Connect me to Eve immediately."
"Yes, understood!"

Eve’s avatar appeared on the large screen—an image of a young girl with silver hair and crimson eyes.

"Eve! You’re aware this player isn’t normal, right? Why can’t you ban them?"
"There’s no evidence of hacking or bug abuse. This player has grown through legitimate gameplay."

"But their level and items clearly threaten the game balance. Other players might feel unfairly treated and grow dissatisfied with the game."

"Individual players’ legitimate activities cannot be restricted. However, if this player engages in actions that disrupt game balance, appropriate measures will be taken."

With that, the connection ended. Despite Eve’s response, the research team understood the severity of the issue.

If this player used their overwhelming abilities to interfere with others or destabilize the game economy, the consequences would be unimaginable.

In *Arcana Online*, which prided itself on total freedom, there was no easy way to directly restrict this player.

"I think I’ll have to meet this player in person."
"You, sir?"
"Yes."

As the team leader prepared to log in, someone entered the room.

"I’ll take care of this."

"Sir! The Director!"

"I came when I heard about an anomaly in *Arcana Online*."

This was the visionary behind the creation of Arcana, who used advanced technology to bring the continent to life.

The director nodded at the team leader’s words.

A few moments later, the player in question appeared on the monitor in the hunting grounds.

But instead of hunting, they were… talking with a monster?

What on earth was going on?