Chapter 1: Possession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1: Possession
Croa Academy.
Commonly known as "Croaka," Croa Academy is a game where players resolve various incidents occurring within the titular educational institution of the Croa Empire.
With hundreds—even thousands—of branching paths, a captivating story, and NPCs brimming with personality, it was a game many people played—and I was no exception.
"It’s already been ten years."
I muttered to myself in my room, staring at the monitor.
Ten years. From middle school until now, I had been obsessed with this game for a full decade.
As usual, I logged into Croaka today, only to find a message waiting in my inbox.
A message?
I almost never received messages since I preferred playing solo, so I checked it with a hint of curiosity.
[Sender: Operator]
Seeing the sender only deepened my confusion. The company that created Croaka remained a mystery even after ten years, and nothing was known about the "Operator."
"A message from the Operator? If I post this on the forums, it’ll cause quite a stir."
[Hello, Player 'Loki.' We are the Operators of Croa Academy. We are sending this message to offer you an early access opportunity for Croa Academy 2.]
"Croaka 2!?"
I couldn't hide my excitement at the words "early access."
Croaka 2. No matter how many routes the original game had, after ten years, I had exhausted almost all the content. Users had been desperately waiting for a sequel.
[If you would like to learn more about Croa Academy 2, please click the link below. wwvv.gldthrdkTwl]
I clicked the link without a moment's hesitation.
Static... static...
Suddenly, strange noises erupted from the computer, and the monitor cut to black.
"What’s wrong with this thing?"
Flash.
"Oh, it’s back on."
A man appeared on the screen.
'Is this the protagonist of Croaka 2?'
The man on the screen had white hair and wore the academy uniform. But what stood out most was the white mask covering his face. The mysterious yet somewhat comical mask drew the eye.
'The design is top-tier.'
<Traits>
• [Clown]
• [Poker Face]
• [Creator’s Hand]
Traits were essentially passive abilities. Unlike previous characters, this one didn't seem to have a single combat-related trait.
<Unique Skill>
• [Illusion]
In reality, this unique skill was the core of the character. A unique skill is an ability that only one person in the entire world possesses.
'Illusion, huh? Is it similar to hallucination-type magic?'
[Would you like to play Croa Academy 2?]
[Y/N]
I clicked 'Y' without hesitation. Once again, the screen flickered off before turning back on.
[You may bring up to two items from your existing character.]
I tapped my desk, lost in thought. If I chose items that were too powerful, the game would become too easy and lose its charm.
"Ah, I have just the thing."
There was an item I had poured an absurd amount of money into back when I had nothing left to do in the game.
[???'s Pocket Dimension / Mythic Grade]
A Pocket Dimension is a basic item given at the start of the game, usually of Normal grade. However, after seeing the ending and running out of content, I had dumped money into it until I upgraded that Normal-grade inventory all the way to Mythic grade.
The only problem was that there was a limit on how many Mythic-grade items a character could equip, so I had never actually been able to use it. I selected the Mythic-grade Pocket Dimension without a second thought.
"What should the other one be?"
After some deliberation, I chose a movement-related skill book.
[Shadow Step]
As soon as I selected the items, the screen went dark again. I expected it to turn back on shortly, but thirty seconds passed with no change.
"Sigh... I just replaced this computer not long ago. What is going on?"
As I let out a sigh, a massive hand suddenly lunged out from the monitor.
"Shit! What the—!?"
The hand emerging from the screen grabbed me and dragged me inside at a speed I couldn't even hope to resist.
* * *
After the man was pulled into the monitor, the screen returned to normal, displaying the protagonist of Croa Academy 2.
The white hair, the academy uniform, and the mask were all the same, but there was one difference: the character was now holding the mask in his hand.
The face hidden behind the mask was identical to the man who had just been dragged into the monitor.
* * *
It has already been half a year since I fell into this game.
At first, I was bewildered and tried everything to return to reality, but I gave up after exactly forty minutes. I had no family back in reality anyway; if anything, Croaka felt more like home to me.
Currently, I was walking through the Imperial Capital to attend the academy's entrance ceremony.
"Masked Mister!" a little girl shouted at me from a distance.
"My dear little lady. 'Mister'? Can't you see this academy uniform?"
I spun around on the spot, showing off the uniform I was wearing. The reason for my theatrical tone and behavior was my trait, [Clown]. It was uncomfortable at first, but I’ve grown used to it now.
"But why are you wearing a mask?"
"This mask happens to be enchanted with a very special magic."
The reason I wore the mask was that it, too, was an item. As long as I wore the [Clown’s Mask], my proficiency would increase faster than usual. For example, if I exercised while wearing it, my stamina would increase more than if I weren't wearing it.
"Show me the magic!"
"I shall show it to you, and only you, little lady."
I snapped my fingers.
Snap!
The sound echoed crisply, and a cat materialized in mid-air.
"Ooh! A kitty!"
"Hehe, isn't it marvelous?"
"A puppy! Can you do a puppy too?"
I snapped my fingers once more.
Snap!
This time, a puppy appeared in the air.
This was my unique skill, [Illusion]. It literally creates illusions. It was awkward at first, but after practicing constantly while wearing the mask, I could now use it freely.
I continued to create various illusions for the little girl. Her reaction was so delightful that I found myself showing her more than I intended.
"Wow! This time it's a butterfly!"
"........."
Right as I was showing her the butterfly, I realized a woman had crouched down beside the child and was watching me.
I was startled once by her sudden appearance, and twice by her sheer beauty.
Platinum blonde hair that flowed down to her waist and blue eyes that resembled sapphires. The combination made her look breathtakingly beautiful. Her eyes looked a bit vacant, but that didn't detract from her appearance in the least.
She looked less like a human and more like a masterpiece meticulously crafted by a god.
The sword at her waist, and finally, the Disciplinary Committee mark on her sleeve.
The reason I played Croaka for ten years. My favorite character, Johanna Freya.
She was standing right before my eyes.
However, perhaps due to my [Poker Face] trait, I was able to hide the rush of emotion from meeting my favorite character.
"Hieeeek! Who are you? You gave me quite a fright!"
Unlike me, who acted startled, the child smiled brightly upon seeing Johanna.
"Pretty Unnie!"
The child naturally threw herself into Johanna's arms. I'm jealous!
"Is she someone you know, little lady?"
"Yeah! She's the Unnie who comes by sometimes and buys me yummy things."
Johanna naturally stroked the child's hair. From the way she did it, it was clear this wasn't the first time.
"Liar."
"Pardon?"
"About being startled."
"No, no! It wasn't a lie, I was truly shocked! My heart is beating so fast I think it might explode!"
The reason Johanna thought I was lying was likely because of my [Poker Face] trait. It felt so unfair. I really was surprised!
"Pretty Unnie, anyway, what brings you here at this hour?"
"A report."
"A report was filed?"
I couldn't help but interject. What was going on? As far as I remembered, there shouldn't be any incidents during this period that would require the Disciplinary Committee's intervention. Did something change?
She stared at me blankly.
"A report that a suspicious masked man was talking to a little girl..."
A suspicious masked man...
Wait, that's me.
"Mister, are you a suspicious person?"
"No, no! If you say that after we were having such a grand time together, my heart will be wounded!"
When I clutched my chest and pretended to collapse, the child burst into giggles, clearly finding it hilarious.
"A freshman?"
"Yes! I am a fresh-faced new student entering this year. But how did you know?"
"A face I haven't seen before."
"Well, I do have the kind of face that's hard to forget once seen."
"Mister, say stuff like that after taking off the mask."
Johanna watched me as I conversed with the child. Then, she made an unbelievable suggestion.
"Shall we go together?"
For Johanna to say that first! In the game, she was someone who never suggested doing anything first.
"For a senior to make such an offer, I am truly honored."
"Name."
"Ah. I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Loki. And what might your name be, Senior?"
"Johanna Freya."
Kuh! To think I’d get a self-introduction from Johanna herself. It felt like the six months of hardship since falling into this game were finally being rewarded.
"May I call you Senior Johanna?"
"As you wish."
"Then please, feel free to call me Loki."
"Loki... Loki..." she whispered my name to herself. So cute!
"Loki. Let's go."
"Yes! Understood, Senior Johanna!"
I deliberately answered loudly to Johanna, who was softly repeating my name.
"Masked Mister and Pretty Unnie, see you later!"
"Little lady, see you later. And next time we meet, don't call me 'Mister'!"
The little girl raised one hand high and waved vigorously. I raised both hands and waved back even harder.
"........."
Watching the two of us, Johanna timidly raised her hand and gave a small wave.
And so, she and I began walking toward the academy.