The Tutorial Is Too Hard (3)
"What the hell is this?"
People were murmuring in front of the massive stone wall. A clock hung there, along with writing in some unknown language.
Chaeyeon stepped closer and read the text.
Reveal the false existence.
What does that even mean? No real hunch came to her, but something else bothered Chaeyeon more.
"What does it say?"
"Probably some important text."
The others couldn't read it.
"It's ancient script," Doil said, eyeing the wall with interest. "A mix of Egyptian hieroglyphs and Hebrew."
"H-how do you even...?"
"Learned it in elementary school in Hawaii."
"Hawaii's that kind of place, huh."
"Insane."
Chaeyeon's eyes went dead. ...He's straight-up using the Conan backstory?
It sure looked that way. But if he could really read it...
"It says... 'Reveal the false existence.'"
"What the hell does that mean?" People scowled.
Then the loud guy from earlier pointed at Siu. "You there. You're a game vet, right? You gotta know what it means."
All eyes turned to Siu. He flinched. Truth was, he had no clue either. But dodging now would tank his credibility.
"Just what it says... probably."
"Probably? You bastard, you think this is a joke?!"
Ian cut in. "Please explain. This is very important."
"..."
Siu swallowed hard and shared his interpretation. "A false existence... so, like, sacrifice the liar. See that altar over there?"
"So, catch the bullshitter? But what's there to lie about?"
"Th-that's..."
As Siu faltered, Doil stepped up. "It's what they call a Mafia game."
"M-Mafia game?"
"We win by finding the culprit. For them, not getting caught is victory."
Siu jumped in quick. "Yeah! That's exactly what I meant."
"In other words." Old man Nodaa cracked his neck. "There's a scumbag mixed in here."
**
"Let's circle up and do introductions first. Something might come out of it." At Doil's suggestion, they sat facing each other in a circle. Chaeyeon hesitated, then sat by Doil.
Siu's face twisted watching her. ...That's why women... Couldn't she read the room? This was a game world. The most reliable were vets like him. And yet she picked the pretty boy.
Whatever. She'll learn soon enough. Siu smirked. She'd figure out what really mattered.
"So, what's your level?" Siu asked Doil. Doil smiled brightly.
"Level 1. Logged off right after connecting."
"...Ah, I see."
Siu smirked mockingly. Ian said flatly, "Like he said, let's introduce ourselves. We haven't done that yet."
"I'll go first then." The loud guy puffed up arrogantly. "I'm the president of Jinsung Trading."
"J-Jinsung Trading?" Ian raised his glasses.
"A small company, huh."
"Fuck, you talk like you've eaten a pound of shit or something?" The president spat. "Anyway, help me out, and I'll reward you handsomely."
"Based on your attitude so far, that's highly unreliable."
"You little shit... I don't bullshit about money. Hell, I'll write a blood oath if you want."
Introductions rolled on from there. Some had surprisingly impressive jobs. Eyes on Ian especially changed—he'd proven his brains, at least.
"Fuck, no way? How's a rude prick like you a Seoul U student? If a commie shit like you went there, I'd eat my own hand."
Of course, some flat-out didn't buy it.
"Next..."
"Me."
Doil stood with a bright smile. Chaeyeon swallowed. She'd glossed over it before, but not now.
College kid? Psychology major maybe? She was dying to know.
"I'm a detective."
Even in this situation, isn't the concept too much?! Chaeyeon was stunned. But...
"Errand center?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't look like you throw punches much."
"Specialty's judo."
"Vibes check out."
They accepted it easily. ...? Chaeyeon's pupils shook. Was detective that common? No pushback at all? Even with the name Doil?
Am I the weird one? Her worldview wobbled.
"Next..." Eyes turned to her.
"..."
Truth was, Chaeyeon had dreaded this moment. Obviously.
-Killed someone and still breathing? Creepy as hell.
-Acting like nothing happened. So fake, disgusting.
She knew that reaction was coming. Her body trembled with anxiety and nerves.
"Panic disorder too, huh? Trigger seems like stares. You okay?" Doil brushed hair from her lips.
"Y-yeah, fine."
"If it's too much, close one eye."
"...Huh?"
"That way, that eye can't see anyone." Doil winked like he was doing it for her.
Chaeyeon laughed blankly. "Kinda dumb, but you're right. But I'm not that weak. I'm an idol, after all. Talking in front of crowds is my specialty."
She took off her deep-pulled cap and stood. Long hair cascaded down, leaving everyone stunned. She'd seemed pretty even capped, but uncapped? Beyond imagination.
"...Love Pink's Han Chaeyeon."
"Idols are different, huh."
"Whoa."
This is actually normal. Get it now? Smiling quietly at their shock, she glanced at Doil.
"...?"
Doil had snatched her cap and was wearing it. "Can I have this?"
He even wanted it. Guess he liked it.
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Chaeyeon answered awkwardly, took a deep breath, and bowed. "Han Chaeyeon from Love Pink. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, y-yeah."
"O-of course."
The guys stammered. Controversy or not, Chaeyeon had an aura that overrode it.
"Introductions done. Time to hunt the culprit." Ian spoke, and they eyed each other tensely.
"If anyone seems suspicious, speak up."
"Even if we say that..."
But nothing had happened yet. Hard to pinpoint without an incident.
Siu desperately avoided the stares. Then Ian fixed on Doil. "Do you know something?"
"Who knows."
Ian kept staring. "You do."
Doil smiled oddly. "Even if it's just a hunch?"
"Of course. We need all angles now."
"Alright then." Eyes on Doil.
He said simply, "The culprit has a reason, right? Gotta kill 10 people."
"...!"
"Can I ask why the culprit needs to kill 10?"
"No clues in a Mafia game? Way too favors the Mafia."
Doil said casually. "Culprit's got no choice. Mr. Med Student—if you were the host, who'd you pick as Mafia in our spot?"
"..."
Ian lifted his head coldly, adjusting glasses. "The most evil human."
"Bingo."
"Beyond logical—it's convincing. Yeah, in Another World, demons felt like that."
Chaeyeon's pupils dilated.
"The most evil one."
"Obvious, right?" Murmurs turned to one person. Chaeyeon, head bowed.
"The one who bullied someone to death is right here."
"Why think? Answer's obvious! News won't shut up about this bitch."
Natural reaction, really. Everyone but Chaeyeon was a normie. No mutual knowledge. But Chaeyeon was different. Except Doil, they all knew her—how she'd lived, her scandals. Even if most were lies.
"No, no." Chaeyeon muttered softly. "I didn't bully anyone."
"Bullshit. They found a suicide note, right?"
"...That was fake. Seyeon left no note."
The president bellowed. "Proof it's fake? No? Then quietly get on the altar..."
"President, got proof it's not?"
"What?"
"Five years ago, you raped a minor."
"...!"
Chaeyeon, eyes icing over, looked up. Doil grinned at the president.
"Feared exposure after, tormented her viciously. Poor girl killed herself."
Flustered, the president yelled at Doil. "Lies! Never did that! I'm not insane enough to touch a middle schooler!"
"Did I say middle schooler?"
Doil's sly smile made the president backpedal.
"Whoa, bro's a real detective."
"Fucking cool. No wonder he's hot."
The high school duo clapped in awe.
"Thought it since the commie talk, but yeah, you're the shittiest here."
Ian joined in; the president vein-popped. "Then you! A med student with five lawsuits? And you all—never fucked up in life? Hiding it all!"
"Mistake? Rape's a mistake? You trash!"
As the president ranted spit-flying, angry folks fired back. The room turned battlefield.
How much time passed? No answer emerged; factions formed, accusing each other.
"...Why help me? Detective."
Chaeyeon leaned on the wall, eyeing Doil. He shook the cap. "You gifted it."
"...It's expensive."
Shed been serious; his playfulness deflated her.
He believes me. She smiled quietly. Probably 'cause he didn't know her well—but still, grateful.
"What's your level?" Maybe that's why. Info she'd hidden from all, she wanted to share with him.
"Your Another World level."
Doil glanced sideways. "1."
"Don't lie. I'm not dumb?" Chaeyeon puffed cheeks.
Doil blinked. "Super high, right? Otherwise, that confidence makes no sense."
Doil started to speak, shut mouth, then eyed her curiously. "Rank 1 then?"
"...Rank 1?"
"Yeah."
Chaeyeon blinked shocked, then giggled. "Joking again."
"...Not a joke."
"Don't buy it. Everyone knows one fact if they've played Another World."
Chaeyeon straightened proudly for once. They thought 55 was high-level; 89 might impress. Wondered his reaction.
"Rank 1's Sisilia. Unshakable top since launch."
"..."
"Conquered Demon God—no one else did—cleared Another World. Amazing person."
Doil scratched head, oddly embarrassed for some reason.
"But her identity—NPC."
"...?"
"Precisely, AI made by devs for promo."
"...??"
"Common knowledge for players."
"...Huh?"
"Didn't know? Heh, your level really low."
Doil's eyes narrowed to dots. Chaeyeon crossed arms, smug. "Mine's 89."
"89...?"
Dead-eyed Doil brightened at her level. "Total newbie."
"...?"
"Cute." He patted her head.
Chaeyeon's face flushed red. Wh-what is this guy? Flirting casually with an idol...!
No man in her life had been this direct. Her cheeks burned.