Popular NPC in a Gender-Reversed Game

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Yoo Chaerin, Im Haneul.

Although they couldn’t face the Deep Layer monsters, they had their own survival strategies.

Chaerin had learned a skill called ‘Concealment’ a long time ago.

Haneul, not quite at that level, could at least use a magic called ‘Illusion’ to hide herself.

At the very least, it meant they could avoid being spotted by others.

Thus, the next day, they headed towards the Deep Layer.

Of course, using just that was a bit flimsy to deceive the monsters in the Deep Layer.

But most of the attention was currently focused on the Knights. The hunting party was showing considerable presence in this forest.

Thanks to that, they were able to head to the Deep Layer more smoothly than expected.

Naturally, they had not spoken to anyone about moving here.

There was really no reason to announce it, especially since a slip-up could cost them their lives.

For Chaerin, who was a streamer, this game was a means to make a living.

Her editor, Haneul, felt the same. If they got caught and ended up in prison, it could have real-life consequences.

In other words, they were willing to take such risks to help him.

Doing this for a single NPC… they felt a bit ridiculous, but they didn’t want to do nothing. If they let this opportunity go by, it would be a regret they’d be stuck with forever.

“But, do you have any plans?”

“…Hmm.”

However, despite their determination, they were honestly not prepared with a solid plan.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t thought about it.

But in this situation, there really wasn’t much they could do. Their opponent was a hunting party made up of Knights. Not to mention, it was an entire country backing them.

Their support would feel like throwing eggs at a rock.

“…I guess we need to sneak away somehow.”

Ultimately, their only option was to help him escape quietly.

So they set off towards the Deep Layer.

“Good thing there’s still a lot of time before Berserk phase… phew.”

“…Berserk phase?”

“Oh, um, it’s something like that, sis.”

Engaging in small talk as they went.

Thanks to Haneul, who had been to the Deep Layer once before, they arrived quickly.

The encirclement was widely set, but no one seemed to notice them.

They could see trees soaring to the sky, blocking out the light. The trees covering all directions were both claustrophobic and vast.

“Wow…”

Chaerin secretly marveled at the eerie atmosphere.

For a moment, she worried about how to find Yor, but fortunately, they soon found him.

“Yah!”

“Shh- quiet.”

It wasn’t long after they entered the forest that he suddenly appeared.

Seeing him then, Chaerin couldn’t help but be taken aback.

The atmosphere he carried was intense, having met him after such a long time.

His injuries seemed fully healed, but the bloodstains on his clothes remained. They were almost worse than rags from the slum.

Maybe he hadn’t been sleeping well these few days, as fatigue was evident around his eyes.

Then again, it was natural not to deeply sleep with people coming in and out of the forest all day.

What truly surprised her was the vigilance he still had about him, even in this state.

He was glancing around, constantly checking to see if anyone was following them.

It was a natural reaction, but for them, that response felt strangely bitter.

It was like looking at a porcupine bristling with quills.

“…Huh.”

Once he confirmed that no one else was around, Yor carefully spoke up.

He determined that it was safe to lower his guard a bit.

“It’s been a while. …I told you not to come. What’s going on?”

“I came to tell you to escape.”

It was Haneul who spoke first. It had also been her idea to come here, so she was quick to break the silence.

“Let’s go; I’ll get you out. There are plenty of people outside, but if you cast Illusion, we should be able to slip away safely.”

“What if we get caught? We won’t escape discipline.”

“Is that really the most important thing right now? We have to survive first.”

For a moment, her eyes slightly narrowed in frustration. His words made her feel overwhelmed.

Regardless, Yor smiled, grateful for her caring nature.

Perhaps it was because he had only received hostility lately, but this kindness felt incredibly significant.

However, his response was already decided.

“Sorry, but I’m fine.”

A straightforward rejection.

“No─”

“Why not?”

Chaerin immediately intervened. She couldn’t understand his answer at all.

Looking at his face, he seemed exasperated.

“Let’s run. Staying here will get us killed! Don’t you see the hunters surrounding the Deep Layer?”

Currently, the hunting party was waiting outside the Deep Layer, having only set up an encirclement.

They deemed it too dangerous to follow through to the Deep Layer.

It was uncertain if they could even catch him now that they had come this far, and if things went wrong, they might be wiped out along with him.

Thanks to that, they had a moment’s breather, but that was about it.

To them, it felt like merely postponing their certain death.

Regardless, Yor remained calm. As if he had already made up his mind.

“We have to survive first.”

“And then where do we escape to?”

“We can go anywhere. You have the skills for that. If all else fails, we can even go into Lemegaton…”

Seeing Chaerin list several options in a worried tone, Yor silently smiled.

They could visibly see her concern, yet the one it was directed at seemed at ease throughout.

As if he had already solidified his decision.

Eventually, Yor quietly asked her.

“If we run, we might never meet again, you know?”

Chaerin’s body stiffened at those words. Not just her, but Haneul beside her felt the same.

They were focused on finding a way out, but they had never thought that far.

But Yor was different.

This had been something he had vaguely considered since the moment the hunting order was placed.

The thought that his newly built life could be ruined again. And that he might never return.

“If we run, we’ll be fleeing for the rest of our lives. You’ll always have to worry about when and where a guard might appear.”

“Since your face is already known, you’d have to hide wherever you go. What if other Otherworlders see your face and report it?”

“And if by chance you encounter the hunting party again, you’ll be running for your life once more. Or, that time you might actually die.”

And these thoughts deepened when Lemegaton extended another invitation.

At that time, he had honestly rejected it but hadn’t fully understood why.

Not being able to grasp his own true feelings made him feel foolish.

But now he understood. After long contemplation, Yor arrived at a clear conclusion.

“I don’t want to live like that.”

Looking back, he had always made choices as if he were being pushed.

No, considering it further, those weren’t even choices. They were matters beyond his will.

His escape from the comfortable city was not because he hated civilization.

It was simply because he had to flee due to the blood running through his veins.

Similarly, his reason for entering this forest was not because it was comfortable and livable.

Ironically, it was precisely because it was a forest that everyone feared, allowing him to survive.

He had to avoid people, so he fought fiercely to enter the depths of this forest.

In his youthful and still-growing body, he fought with beasts, enduring this dark night thousands of times.

It wasn’t to grow stronger. He simply had to do that to survive.

…Then, how long would he have to keep living like this?

Was he destined to be pushed around by his environment forever?

His rejection of Lemegaton’s invitation stemmed from that reason.

If he entered there, it would be a choice made out of necessity because of the hunting party.

That’s why he stayed in the forest.

After venting all this, Chaerin cautiously asked.

“So what will you do now…?”

“I’ll fight.”

If the two irreconcilable stances clash, there is only one method.

To crush the other side. Even if it could be him.

He would do everything he could to make the world acknowledge him.

Chaerin asked again.

“Do you have a plan?”

“Don’t know, I’ll have to figure one out.”

“Do you think we stand a chance?”

“At least it’s better than fighting outside. I’m more familiar with the forest.”

The forest was his home ground.

Now it felt utterly hopeless, but because of that, he had to make his stand here.

Chaerin frowned at that sight. Haneul shared the same expression.

To them, it felt like sheer stubbornness.

Looking at that precarious state, it felt like he could vanish anywhere.

“Is there nothing you can do to help?”

Yor spoke deliberately firmly. It was clear that getting involved would only bring trouble.

“There’s nothing. If you get involved, it won’t help. So just step aside.”

“Why are you so sharp? At least in times like this, you should accept someone’s help, whether it helps or not!”

It was like throwing eggs at a rock. But she aimed to leave her mark nonetheless.

She spoke desperately.

At her insistence, Yor hesitated for a moment.

To be honest, he was tired.

Facing numerous people alone took a toll physically, as well as mentally.

What he wished for wasn’t an army, but just a place to lean and rest for a while.

Therefore, after a long hesitation, Yor sighed.

“…Phew.”

Then he set aside a bit of pride and spoke to them.

“A little… help me.”

And in that moment, a spear appeared before them.

+

[QUEST – Change]

+

He had always been regarded as a boss.

A potential evil threatening humanity. A ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Whatever it was, he had to be dealt with.

The world had already declared that through game settings, and thus the players could only comply.

But now, something felt different. A different vibe.

They checked the spear that floated before them with trembling hands.

+

[QUEST – Change]

+

The ones who manifested had only been seen as subjects of scorn and fear until now.

But is that really accurate? Is that all their fate entails?

The answer lies with you. Find the answer you desire.

Help him and push back the hunting party.

Success rewards – ???, Probability of countering a future disaster increased.

Failure penalty – Imprisonment or Exile from the Empire.

※ This quest can be shared.

+

At this very moment, a different path opened up for them.