Chapter 4
Chapter 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Adaptation (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hmm..."
Since the incident had only just begun, not all the information had been released yet. Even with news outlets and communities buzzing around the clock, there were limits to how much they could cover every bit of news and detail in real time.
For example, info like how swiping your left hand in a cross shape wouldn't open your status or skills screen, but your item inventory instead.
"...It's more basic than I thought."
Before heading out to test my skills on the monsters roaming outside, I accidentally opened my inventory and muttered dryly.
As the undisputed strongest entity in Season Off Fantasy, Selverion, I figured her inventory would be packed with a ton of items. But surprisingly, she only had two.
...The H-rank item 'Chains of Death and Frost',
and the equally H-rank 'Phantasmal Tiara'.
Both were already equipped and visible in my field of view—items famous as her exclusive gear.
Part of the 'Chains of Death and Frost' was wrapped around my wrist like a bracelet, while the rest slithered through the air around me, floating limply.
The 'Phantasmal Tiara' sat lightly atop my head, so no matter what anyone said, these two were the ultimate symbols of Selverion.
...Even I had realized quicker and easier that I'd turned into Selverion thanks to spotting these items right away.
"Chains..."
Selverion's weapon, the Chains of Death and Frost.
They were famous for whipping out alongside her basic attacks, and like a chameleon, they could shift into various weapon forms—a key feature.
That meant fighting Selverion required careful weapon choices. In theory, they could morph into anything, potentially rendering your own armor useless.
...Her chains flying toward you while you're frozen solid were notoriously terrifying, infamous for inspiring more dread than anything else.
"...Phantasmal Tiara."
Next was the sleek black tiara perched on my head. Honestly, I never imagined it was an H-rank item.
It didn't do much in combat—no buffs or debuffs. I thought it was just ornamental, symbolizing her noble status, nothing more or less.
But an H-rank item that's one-of-a-kind? With a puzzled look, I slowly scrolled through the detailed description of the 'Phantasmal Tiara'.
🎩 ITEM INFO 🎩 📛 Item Name: Phantasmal Tiara 🏷️ Item Type: Magic Accessory – Tiara ⭐ Rank: H-rank 🎯 Slot: Head Description:
This exquisitely crafted tiara, made from moonlight and dream dust, is an ancient relic created by a legendary mage to conceal their identity. It freely alters the wearer's appearance and completely blocks external detection or tracking magic. At its center is a colorless gem that changes color according to the wearer's intent, initiating the transformation. Effects:
[Illusory Transformation]
>The wearer can change their outward appearance (clothing and accessories) at will anytime.
[Identity Concealment]
>The wearer's name, level, and other basic info are perfectly hidden. Enemy mages cannot discern the wearer's details.
[Moonlight Protection]
>Slightly increases the wearer's defense.
"Ah."
Unlike the 'Chains of Death and Frost', which was armed to the teeth with combat effects from top to bottom, the 'Phantasmal Tiara' was purely a non-combat item focused on utility outside of battle.
...It had three abilities.
'Illusory Transformation' to freely change all clothing and accessories, 'Identity Concealment' to perfectly hide all personal info, and 'Moonlight Protection' to slightly boost defense.
But items that boosted defense or hid identities were a dime a dozen, so the tiara's true value likely came from the first one: 'Illusory Transformation'.
Like most games, Season Off Fantasy—or Sio-pan—let players customize characters with beautiful skins and accessories, a major draw.
Plus, as a VR game, the freedom was even greater. In theory, you could create any outfit imaginable, so some folks played just for the customization.
In that world, being able to swap into any outfit for free was a huge perk—no grinding for materials or shelling out cash.
...Selverion always wore the same black sleeveless dress, so I'd never dreamed the tiara had this power.
I might be the first besides the devs to discover it.
"Amazing..."
I eyed the Phantasmal Tiara with keen interest. No time like the present—I decided to test its power right away.
Currently, I was wearing an oversized gray hoodie.
Closing my eyes, I pictured it transforming into Selverion's usual sleeveless dress.
Whirr—
The central gem glowed red and reacted immediately. I felt a faint vibration through my scalp.
"..."
Soon, the hoodie shimmered black and began shifting shape. Finally, it became a sleek dress blending black, silver, and red.
Selverion's familiar dress.
"Whoa."
The surreal sight before my eyes was mind-blowing. Seeing an in-game item work in reality left me stunned.
The cheap, scratchy hoodie was gone, replaced by luxurious, silky fabric caressing my skin.
I'd worn decent suits back when business was booming, but this was on another level—superior material and tailoring.
"The feel is... kinda weird."
Still, my first time in a dress. Even in Selverion's body, the breeze up my legs and the sheer embarrassment were too much for my fragile mentality.
"Phew..."
I switched it back to the cheap hoodie. I'd save the dress for when I'd mastered her skills and adapted fully.
"Alright..."
...With items checked, I prepared to head out for skill testing.
Nothing was set up yet, and getting exposed as Selverion would be a headache, so I morphed the tiara into a black mask to hide my face and pulled the hoodie deep over my head.
I also shaped her signature 'Chains of Death and Frost' into a plain greatsword to conceal it. All set.
Now, just test skills on ferocious monsters and adapt to this body.
"..."
Gripping my trembling heart, I headed to the window of my studio apartment.
Opening the front door and casually strolling down stairs as Selverion felt off, so why not leap out dramatically?
The God of Ruin, Flower of Ruin—no way a mere three-story drop would break anything.
"...Let's go."
I flung the window wide, tore open the ragged screen, and hurled myself toward the changed world, straight into monster-infested central Seoul.
"So light..."
...Selverion's physical prowess exceeded my wildest dreams. A body light as a snowflake, brimming with explosive power and stamina this petite frame could barely contain.
Like bouncing on a trampoline, I soared from my third-floor room and landed softly, silently.
Twenty-four hours ago, I'd be mangled and ambulanced away. Now? Not a twinge or ache.
...The transformation felt vividly real.
"......"
Outside, I started hunting for monsters to serve as skill sandbags.
My building's area was eerily quiet, but cracks of light still floated in the sky, and monster roars echoed faintly if I listened.
...A short wander, and I'd run into some soon enough.
"Hope it's something decently strong."
I muttered while eyeing the H-rank 'Chains of Death and Frost' floating around me, now disguised as a greatsword.
Facing monsters? D-rank slimes or mushroom mobs—weaker than civilians—wouldn't test much.
I needed ones with solid feedback, not too hard, rewarding enough to make it worthwhile...
—Grrrrowl...
"...!!"
...About three minutes of peering around alleys. Then, from the corner ahead, a guttural, phlegmy growl.
No beast or human could make that sound—100% a Sio-pan monster from the rifts.
"..."
I froze, waiting for it to fully emerge.
Thud! Thud!
"...Pretty big guy, huh."
The approaching roar brought clearer ground tremors. By the vibrations, it was something sizable.
—Grrowl...!!
"...!!"
...It rounded the corner: Season Off Fantasy monsters breaching dimensions into 21st-century Earth for the first time.
—Groooar!!
"That's..."
The source: hulking, gray-skinned brutes around two meters tall. Protruding fangs, bulging muscles, rough hide, barely covered by rag loincloths—savage.
They were trolls, one of Season Off Fantasy's iconic monsters.
"Trolls..."
Around level 200, C-rank like the Busan kobolds that routed the military.
Not top-tier rank, but their club swings and tanky vitality couldn't be ignored. Perfect first warm-up for 'Selverion'.
"...Good."
I stretched, loosening up, then slowly extended my palm toward them. The floating greatsword behind me aligned, tip aimed at the foes.
—Groooar!!
Spotting my hostility, they bellowed in rage and hoisted their wooden clubs high.
In-game or reality, trolls were dumb brutes driven by fury. No assessing the foe—they just charged.
—Grroooaaar!!
"Good..."
Three trolls barreled toward me at ferocious speed. Heart pounding with thrill and nerves, I readied to meet them.
"...Start with basics."
In Season Off Fantasy combat, the foundation wasn't passives or skills—it was basic attacks. Mastering versatile, tricky basics often decided victory.
So against the charging trolls, I opted for a plain basic attack over skills first.
...A monumental moment: my first fight in Selverion's body.
—Groooaaar!!
"Here goes."
I thrust my hand forward powerfully at the oncoming trolls. The red greatsword behind me rocketed toward them at terrifying speed.