5 months have passed since waking up in this world. If you count the days spent in the labyrinth, this time seemed much longer. A lot has happened since then: killing a man and monsters for the first time, as well as doing many other wild things to survive. However, the nature of modern man has remained the same.

*Tap, tap, tap!*

As soon as the password was typed, my little finger naturally pressed the enter key. Realizing one thing, I tensed.

This is... my body?

It was not the rough and thick arm of a barbarian, nor the broad-shouldered body of a warrior covered with muscles like boulders. It was Lee Han Su's body that was 175 cm tall, with an average weight and soft skin. The moment I realized this, it seemed to me that the floor gave way, and my body was sucked somewhere.

"Oh, damn!

When I came to, it was dark around. It wasn't that strange because I'd encountered it many times in the maze, but...

*Click*

With the sound of a switch, the surrounding space lit up brightly.

Amazingly, I was in my room, Lee Han-so's room, where I loved to play games until I was brought into this world.

... So, what should I do?

First, I looked around my surroundings: the bookshelf, the computer, the slightly yellowed bed. When I left the room and looked around the living room, kitchen, and even bathroom, everything was as I remembered.

Oh, then maybe that's too...?

I hurriedly opened the refrigerator. For some reason, there were only chilled cans of cola inside. There was some harmony in it, but I didn't think deeply about it.

Well, how could I keep myself from doing that?

*Click, chiee!*

The sound alone made me feel fresh. I could put up with everything else, but I missed it so much. I quickly poured it into my mouth, in case it disappeared in front of my eyes.

Bloody hell.

I could not taste it. There was no aching sensation that made my throat feel like it was cut in half, just a tasteless and odorless liquid flowing down my throat. I couldn't hide my disappointment.

*Ding-dong!*

The doorbell rang. When I checked the intercom, there was a white woman with blonde hair braided in braids. I was sure it wasn't some kind of religious invitation. I was about to say, "Who are you?" in my usual tone, when I realized my mistake and opened my mouth again, reasoning that from the way I talked, they could conclude that I was a barbarian.

"Can I help you?"

Hmm, why am I so embarrassed?

I spoke normally, but it felt like a thorn was growing in my throat. After a while, an answer was heard over the intercom.

"I'm the Queen of Souls, serving as a guide for the Ghostbusters. Is it okay if I come in?

Hmm, I didn't know there was such a system here.

I quickly opened the door before I fell out of favor with them.

But what was it?

"Uh, why are you walking through the wall?"

"Oh, was that a wall?" It seems to me that this is just a white space.

Was she talking about the space I had seen before? They said it was the spirit world. There must have been some mysterious rules in this space.

As I led her into the living room according to the approximate landmarks, the woman exclaimed in admiration.

"You are amazing. Usually, no matter how dim it is, I still have to see the outline.

"Outline?"

"I mean this place. Mister...

"You can call me whatever you want."

— ... As you say.

True to the contents of the letter, which guaranteed anonymity, the woman showed no regret, despite my firm refusal to give her name.

"In any case, this space is the embodiment of your imagination, the place that the inner spirit first brings to mind. This is usually the place where you feel most psychologically comfortable.

"So what?"

— Usually it is visible to others. Sometimes there are people with strong defense mechanisms, but I could still recognize the form...

The woman looked at me in amazement.

I couldn't tell if it was curiosity or wariness, but I decided to point out the contradiction first.

"Then how did you ring the doorbell before?" I thought you couldn't see him?

"It seems that you thought so. I did not call any calls. As soon as I arrived, I only called you. Does it make sense?

To be honest, I had a rough idea of what she was talking about, but at the same time I didn't understand anything at all. I just smiled awkwardly and nodded.

"Thank you for your kind explanation.

"It's a relief. Truth be told, this concept is difficult to understand, even for sorcerers, so I'm at a loss every time how to explain it.

In any case, since she introduced herself as a guide, I asked about what I was interested in.

"Oh, what happens if the password is wrong?"

I was able to figure it out, but there must have been people who couldn't.

"Oh, that?" Nothing, really. This is just a deception. There are very few people who guess the password before I come to them. Whether you enter the password or not, I'll still have to come and check.

For reference, the confirmation she was talking about was simple.

Obviously, she could tell it just by looking. I wondered if she had some special ability, but I realized it when I saw her current appearance.

"Is it obvious from the clothes...?"

I was wearing a dark blue suit that fitted snugly to my body, clothes that my ex-girlfriend had bought me to celebrate getting the job.

However, as soon as I saw this woman, I realized that she was also a modern person, so it must have been the same with her.

"Wow, you're really fast. The differences between players and NPCs are obvious from here.

An NPC (or NPC) is not a playable character.

"NPCs?"

— This is a slang term for locals. In any case, the difference between the two is not only in clothing, but you can clearly see it when you enter this space. Although for the first time I do not see anything.

"You mean you can tell by the room."

— Exactly. Rock star posters won't hang in NPC rooms, you know?

I got it. With such a check, it would be impossible for the locals – I mean the NPCs – to hide their identities in order to get here.

"Then I passed the test?"

— Of course.

I was worried as she couldn't see the room due to my defense mechanism, but the woman nodded without hesitation.

After seeing this, I realized another thing. In addition to clothing, tone of voice, facial expressions, and this imaginary space, there must be a clear way to identify NPCs.

The reason she didn't tell me was probably for safety.

"So... You are now officially a member of the Ghostbusters.

— By the way, who came up with the name "Ghostbusters"?

"Oh, there's someone here. I'm sure you're wondering what that sucks name, right? I begged him to choose another, but...

And I think it's a very reasonable name.

"Everyone always starts with that question," she sighed.

I nodded awkwardly. I couldn't agree that it sucked a name, but I could pretend. The ability to read the situation and behave accordingly has always been my main feature.

"This... definitely an unusual name.

"Really?" Oh, where did I stop...?

Soon, the woman returned to the main topic and continued.

"Oh yes, we can no longer use the method of violently killing NPCs who sneak inside, separating their souls from their bodies. Instead, we may prevent them from being called here again, so if you have time, be sure to check the rules.

After that, the woman explained the main method of using the Ghostbusters community.

"Is there a computer here?" If there is, go to him. If not, you'll have to recreate it.

— Yes, there is.

"It saves time. Turn it on.

When I turned on the computer according to the instructions, a window appeared instead of the usual OS screen.

"Oh, one second. Your code...

When I entered the code the woman told me, the screen switched to a page where I could assign a pseudonym.

"The alias you choose here will be final. Once you make it, you can never change it, so choose carefully.

Hmm, what should I choose?

While I was pondering this, the woman gave me advice.

[Q]: Did you use the Dungeon & Stone community? Most people use their nicknames from there. So I chose the nickname "Queen of Souls".

As befits a community for a failed game, there were less than 30 messages on the wall per day.

However, everyone who has played this game has used it at least once, including me.

Anyway, it's not my real name, so I can use my pseudonym, right?

I entered my nickname and pressed "Enter".

[This alias cannot be used].

"Oh, I see someone is already using that pseudonym.

A what? Does anyone use it?

I couldn't understand, but I just changed the spelling a bit. When she saw what I had chosen, the woman smiled strangely.

"Haha, I guess you're a fan?"

Fan? Whose?

Before I could ask, she went on with her guide explaining how to use the community.

"Okay, I've told you pretty much everything you need to know. I leave you for free use. If you encounter any problems, please contact us directly!

Soon after, the woman with the nickname Queen of Souls left, and I was alone in the room again. After completing the training, I went to the community forum without any problems.

[For men 20-30 years old]

[American Union]

[Beastmen, come in]

[Magic Community]

[Hangout]

There were currently several active chat rooms. If I click and log in to any of them, will I be able to communicate with them? It was a futuristic and at the same time fantasy system.

Some rooms have level restrictions or passwords.

To get used to the place, I chose a random room and entered it as a test.

[Beginners' Room]

It was a special room that only those who had joined the community within the past year could enter. I chose it because I thought there would be a lot of people like me.

*Click-click*

The moment I double-clicked, a bright light poured out of the monitor. Like the day I woke up in the body of a barbarian in the middle of the game, when I came to my senses, I was on an empty lot.

***

*Crackle!*

A fire raged in the center of the clearing. There were 15 people standing nearby, all men. True, I was wondering how many girls would play this perverted and cruel game.

"Oh, new boy!"

Their eyes gathered on me as I walked in. White, yellow, black; The races were more diverse than I thought, but after living in a different world for a few months, I felt a kinship with the fact that we came from the same place. The same thing probably happened to them.

"What country are you from?"

"Ah, Korea.

"I see!" Welcome!

I quickly looked around and checked my surroundings. There were no racist views at all, and the atmosphere was exceptionally friendly to newcomers.

Are these their nicknames above their heads?

Translucent letters hovered above everyone's heads. At that moment, a black man dressed in a neat suit came up to me and spoke to me.

"It's empty, isn't it?" There are not even points for decoration. I'm Darkman, the leader of the room. Could you please show your nickname and briefly introduce yourself?

"My nickname?"

"Looks like this is your first time in this room. All you have to do is think about it. In society, strength is in clear knowledge and thought.

Clear knowledge and thoughts... Maybe I just needed to do it like when using an active skill?

Reveal nickname.

As I muttered this inwardly, people's eyes turned to my head. It looked like they could see my nickname now.

"Hello." I am Elfnunna.

The moment I revealed my nickname, thinking it was an anonymous space, a cold silence descended on the clearing.

"Elfnuna?!"

"The holy guy who made the summary of statistics?"

"Uh... Wasn't it someone from the game company?

"So you were Korean?!" I knew it!

"Excuse me!" It's true? Are you really him?

A moment later, for some reason, a commotion began.

However, not understanding the situation, I sighed quietly.

*Sigh*

What's going on?