Chapter 300
[Episode 228 begins!]
After the episode where I self-destructed with the players, I urgently called Helga back to the mansion from her deployment.
As expected, she appeared before me within a few days.
“My, my. Count. Calling me so suddenly, did you miss me that much?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha. Of course, that couldn’t be… huh?”
“I missed you.”
“Huh?? What??”
She was alive, as expected, but simply seeing her wasn’t enough, so I hugged her tightly.
“Ah?! Count?!”
“Don’t ever do something so reckless again.”
“Huh? Uh… um… Yes! I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I won’t do it. Hmph!”
Helga, unsure of what to do, eventually leaned into my embrace.
The memory of her holding my hand as I bled and died flashed before me. Her reassuring expression flickered in my mind.
I held Helga tightly. Feeling her eyes, nose, mouth, and warmth, I confirmed she was alive.
The players… as they said, this world might just be a game. A world created solely for their entertainment.
I, too, knew this world was a game. But…
I could no longer call this world just a game. Even if it was artificially created, it felt more real to me than reality itself.
Especially the intricate characters that no AI or program could replicate. They had a humanity that felt more genuine than actual humans.
At least to me, the characters in this world seemed more human than the players.
-They are the ‘real’ characters created by Jeong So-ra’s imagination.
I think I understand why CEO Park praised the characters of this world as real. Obsessed with realism, he must have been impressed by how So-ra’s imagination created characters with emotions and personalities indistinguishable from real humans.
On that point, I agree with CEO Park. The characters in this world are real. Truly living beings. Even more human than humans.
“Count…? Are you okay?”
Helga, still in my embrace, asked worriedly about my condition.
I truly wished she wouldn’t die. I wished all those created by So-ra would live fully. I wished and wished this world wouldn’t be trampled by those player brats.
“Yes… I’m fine.”
My arms tightened around her. Feeling her existence, So-ra’s precious world, with my entire being… I made a vow in my heart.
Whether you’re real or fake, it doesn’t matter.
I will definitely protect you.
I will save you from this place.
[Episode 242 begins!]
Every episode, I fought fiercely with the players. Through that, I realized the time outside this world also repeated just like here.
I noticed it when I asked a player about the service start date… that is, the real-world date.
-Today? It’s July 5, 2032.
It was exactly one year since I was trapped here by CEO Park. That meant it had only been a year since I became Tristan.
It was strange.
Considering the time I’ve spent repeating 200 episodes here, it should’ve been at least 10 years. But only a year had passed?
It was confusing.
I thought the regression I experienced was just CEO Park messing with the system to torment me. But it seemed the clock in the real world also turned back during those moments.
Of course, even CEO Park couldn’t turn back time in the real world.
If CEO Park had left me alone for so long, it made sense if I had been repeating regressions.
‘Then who…?’
I thought about the cause of this supernatural phenomenon but couldn’t pinpoint anything.
No. Wait. If I had to guess, this world was created by my younger sister, Jeong So-ra. So maybe she did something…?
‘No… that can’t be.’
If she had the ability to do something like this, she would’ve sent me a signal or a message.
So-ra is in a state where she can’t even move a finger. The fact that there’s been no reaction from her since I entered her world is proof.
I pondered for a while, reading my diary.
Why do I keep regressing while trapped in this game?
At first, I doubted everything.
From the nature of this world to my own existence… But I couldn’t figure out the reason.
All I knew was that the starting point of each episode was one year before the online service launch date. And the excruciating pain I felt every time I died proved I wasn’t dreaming…
Eventually, I stopped trying to find the reason for the regression. Whatever it was, repeating regressions was advantageous rather than disadvantageous.
In fact, regression allowed me to fight the players over and over.
‘Right. Whether it’s a chance given by God or So-ra, it doesn’t matter…’
If I can use this regression to protect the characters I love.
If I can protect So-ra’s world, I’ll gladly take the chance, even if it’s from the devil.
[Episode 263 begins!]
I slaughtered the guild members who burned down the mansion and killed Helga and me.
It was all thanks to regression. I knew every thought they had and every dirty trick they’d try.
Revenge was exhilarating and thrilling. Even though I knew they’d come back to life, the moment I killed them, it felt like a weight was lifted.
[Episode 286 begins!]
I mobilized Aslan, Ruelberta’s private soldiers, and even mercenaries to fight the players.
At first, we had the upper hand. Aslan was clearly the elite soldier group of this country. Like battle veterans, they overwhelmed the players and rang victory bells everywhere.
But even Aslan couldn’t handle the exponentially increasing number of players. Moreover, the players, who were initially disorganized, soon began to unite around guilds, turning the tide of battle.
The members guarding me fell one by one. Even Helga, who fought by my side until the end, fell. But I didn’t give up.
Right. Bring it on.
I’ll defeat you, even if it takes regressing countless times.
[Episode 292 begins!]
A variable arose from a place I never expected.
“That’s not possible, Tristan.”
My guardian and uncle, Arthur Ruelberta, shook his head.
“Are you planning to start a war? We don’t need that many soldiers.”
Through repeated episodes, I felt the need to strengthen our forces. Specifically, I planned to invest the family’s vast funds into building up Aslan, our direct private soldier group. But I ran into opposition from Arthur, the family’s patriarch.
“Uncle, you don’t understand the severity of the situation. We need power.”
“We can’t spend such a large sum for something that might not even happen in a year.”
Knowing they wouldn’t believe me about the players invading, I lied that the Demon Lord would awaken in a year. Well, it wasn’t entirely a lie. According to the original story, the Demon Lord would become active around that time, and the players would cause chaos first.
But even that reason couldn’t persuade Arthur.
“No matter how much you’re the head of the family, I can’t let you waste the family’s wealth.”
“If we lose everything in a year, it’ll be too late. I know what you’re saying, but you have to trust me now.”
“I can’t do that. Besides, building up such a force would draw the attention of the Imperial Family and other nobles. It’s not worth the risk of making enemies while spending a fortune.”
“Uncle…!”
“This isn’t just my opinion! Most of your relatives agree with me. Tristan, what you’re trying to do is literally throwing money away!”
Arthur is the man who has managed the family in place of Tristan, who became head at a young age.
The Ruelberta family has maintained its power largely due to his competence.
But precisely because he’s such a capable man, he didn’t easily agree to my request.
“Sigh…”
Frustrated, I rubbed my face with my palm.
In every episode, Arthur supported me in fighting the players. He actively backed me within the family and spared no support. To Arthur, Tristan was like his own child.
So why was he blocking my path now?
Thump.
“Uncle… I’m seriously asking you. This is something I absolutely need.”
“No.”
Thump.
“Just once… won’t you reconsider?”
“I’ve already discussed this with the relatives, and my mind won’t change. I’m sorry, but I can’t grant your request, Tristan.”
Thump.
“Sigh…”
“Did you just sigh?”
“Since you don’t know anything…”
“What did you say?”
“Uncle, you don’t know anything, so you’re saying such things.”
I shot Arthur a look filled with the emotions boiling inside me.
“Ugh?! You…”
“If you knew what I’ve been through… how much humiliation I’ve endured… you wouldn’t be able to do this…”
“Stop…”
“Does it hurt? I live in that pain every moment.”
“Tristan…! Stop it!”
Seeing Arthur’s face pale, I looked away. Finally able to breathe, Arthur gasped for air.
“Gasp…! Gasp…! What was that just now?”
“Uncle, you must be very tired.”
“Your gaze just now was…”
“…My gaze?”
Tilting my head, Arthur closed his mouth.
“You don’t seem well. Maybe you should go rest.”
“Tristan. You brat…… Never mind. Forget it.”
Arthur tried to say something but eventually shook his head, looking exhausted.
“I’m saying this out of concern, but remember. You’re not a child anymore. It’s time to start acting like the head of the family.”
“……”
“I can’t keep covering for you forever. You have your dignity as the head… And don’t take today’s events too hard. If you stop doing such strange things, I’ll definitely entrust you with important family matters. Until then, stay quiet. Understood?”
I didn’t answer, just shrugged. Seeing this, Arthur frowned.
“Useless brat… Tsk tsk…”
After Arthur left, I sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
I’ve never needed power more than now.
The power to overwhelm the leveling players is absolutely necessary.
And fortunately, my family has the vast funds to even buy such power.
I have the power to save everyone.
But…
You won’t give it to me?
You’ll stop me?
Me, who’s trying to save this world?
Thump.
“Is anyone there?”
“Did you call, Count.”
Responding to my voice was Helga. She had entered the room unnoticed, and one of her eyes glowed like a feline’s from the shadows beneath the curtain.
“Helga.”
“Yes.”
“What are the ‘Black Dogs’ doing right now?”
As if hearing an ominous word, Helga’s expression stiffened.
“…They’re currently on an intelligence mission outside.”
“Tell them. There’s ‘prey.'”
“?!”
Her eyes widened as she studied my face, then she spoke in disbelief.
“Count. Surely not…”
I didn’t answer, just looked out the window.
Dark clouds loomed in the sky. Below them, Arthur’s carriage was leaving the mansion.
Rumble.
The sound of thunder, like a lion’s roar, echoed from afar. Soon, raindrops formed on the window.
On that night of pouring rain, I muttered in a voice filled with ‘pride.’
“It seems the rain won’t stop for a while…”
