Plunged into an Obscure Visual Novel
A familiar street from a visual novel no one played. I'd scoured every corner of Steam out of boredom and stumbled upon it by chance, starting it on a whim.
I figured it was fate, but this visual novel turned out way tougher than expected. Hundreds of times, I'd pick the wrong choice and tumble straight into ruin.
Would you like to unlock the Hidden Route?
I clicked [Yes] without hesitation.
When I opened my eyes, I was on that familiar street.
※
"The money in my pocket... 300 silver."
I rummaged through it just in case there was more, but only dust puffed out.
"Same as the starting funds."
300 silver—an awkward amount. A wooden sword that'd break after a few uses. Cloth for various choices. And above all, the game always opened on this familiar street.
At this point, I had to admit it.
I'd transmigrated into the visual novel.
After clearing every achievement in this no-one-plays visual novel and seeing all the endings, I'd unlocked the hidden route. And suddenly, I possessed a character inside the game.
"Ha, like something out of a damn novel."
The absurdity drained the strength from my limbs.
Even so, I couldn't just stand there frozen. If this really was the game I'd been playing, staying put might make me miss a key event.
Before that.
I walked to a nearby stream. Peering into the crystal-clear water, a boy stared back—pale gray-tinged black hair and golden eyes.
"So this is the game avatar."
My current appearance was the avatar I'd used in the game. It was just a stand-in for player appearances back then, but now it was my body, moving under my control.
"Hey, you'll fall in."
Suddenly, someone yanked my clothes from behind. Turning around, I saw a typical middle-aged Auntie beaming brightly.
"Oh my, what a handsome face. So why're you hanging so dangerously like that?"
"...I like the sound of the flowing water."
It was a hasty excuse, but the nameless Auntie nodded like it was good enough.
"Kid, you headed to the academy too?"
The academy. Specifically, the Ler Kang Imperial Academy. The place where I'd spend most of my time in the game—and where nearly every event unfolded.
"That obvious?"
"Of course! Even your clothes scream it. Looks like you're from the north... came a long way, huh."
I glanced down at my outfit. A thick northern coat. In the game, I hadn't thought much of the design since it swapped for the academy uniform right away. Maybe that's why it felt novel now.
"You know the way to the academy?"
"Yep."
I looked up at the distant clock tower with its white outer walls. It felt strangely familiar.
[...This is my most precious place.]
A game scene flashed in my mind, complete with that line.
...But did that scene even have a voice?
Anyway, that was the academy—the game's main stage. Head that way, and I'd reach it.
I wrapped up the sudden chat with Auntie and set off toward the distant clock tower.
At the same time, I muttered under my breath.
"Status Window."
A few passersby gave me weird looks, but I ignored them. Any guy transmigrated has to shout for the status window at least once, right?
But my hopes were dashed—no translucent window appeared.
"Tch..."
I even wondered if it'd pop up as choices since it was a visual novel, but nothing happened.
Shoving aside my disappointment, I started walking again.
Staying still changes nothing. Words I'd held in my heart since long ago.
But I wasn't heading to the academy aimlessly.
I wonder when it'll start.
I kept moving steadily, waiting.
Why did the player start not at the academy, but on this street? Because right here, a choice appeared.
The first choice, before entering the academy.
I was waiting for that event.
A moment later.
Thud-!
A loud boom echoed from afar, followed by a horse's neigh.
It's starting.
It didn't actually pop up, but if choices appeared, it'd look like this.
A loud noise echoes from afar.
[1. Ignore it.]
[2. Head toward the sound.]
Ignore it, and the player reaches the academy safely. The story jumps to the entrance ceremony and branches elsewhere.
Not a wrong choice, per se.
But if asked which was more helpful? I'd say:
Never just pass it by.
I picked the choice in my mind without hesitation and turned toward the sound.
Once I got familiar with the game, I never chose ignore again. The next choice's rewards were massive.
Plus, this led to meeting a heroine.
Essentially the most crucial character early on.
Alessia Habron. The only daughter of the Habron Merchant Group's owner, one of the game's heroines. And the first one you'd meet.
A crowd had already gathered where the sound came from. The alley leading there was jammed with people.
Still, I shoved through and emerged to murmurs.
This was the first encounter event. Help Alessia lift the overturned carriage caused by spooked horses, and you meet her. Afterward, she becomes your steadfast backer.
It hugely impacted future difficulty—practically mandatory, even off her route.
If not now, it'd be ages before any connection formed.
Recalling the event, I pushed through the crowd.
Alessia should be stomping her feet anxiously by now...
Finally breaking free, what I saw was a perfectly upright carriage.
The horses weren't even startled—they just neighed calmly. Not a scratch on the carriage.
Normally, the horses would've been bucking wildly, the carriage toppled.
And above all, Alessia was fine.
Softly swaying brown hair. Modest yet expensive-looking clothes. Standing tall with dignified poise, no ornaments needed.
It was unmistakably Alessia. No way I wouldn't recognize her.
But how was everything so... normal?
She should've been crawling out of the wrecked carriage, a total mess.
Maybe because the carriage didn't overturn?
Alessia just kept scanning the surroundings, like she was searching for something.
Is the game that different from what I knew?
I couldn't figure why the event changed.
If other events were altered too, that'd be a huge problem. My game knowledge might become useless.
In this world, with no clue how to return, info was precious.
Then, a chill crawled up my spine.
Did our eyes just meet?
Alessia's scanning gaze seemed to pause in my direction.
Clop-clop—By the time I snapped to, she was hiking her skirt and running straight at me.
"Rion!"
Alessia threw herself into my arms.
My heart plummeted.
Is this what cold blood feels like?
Something that shouldn't happen... had.
Doubt turned to worry, worry to certainty.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
The sudden scene drew stares. Her guards rushed over in shock.
But my focus was elsewhere.
She called me Rion.
Rion. My in-game nickname.
If asked my name here, I'd have said Rion.
But I hadn't uttered it.
Yet Alessia called me Rion clearly.
That name no one should know.
How?
"Ah! Sorry. You must be shocked."
Alessia gave me no time to think, grabbing my hand and pulling.
Unbelievable strength from her slender, fragile-looking arm.
Then, I glimpsed something familiar on her wrist.
The Argos Bracelet?!
An item granting immense strength—essential mid-early game. From a place I couldn't access yet.
Why was it on Alessia's wrist?
"Sorry, Rion."
Alessia smiled. Bright, but... eerie.
"This time... I absolutely won't let you go."
Her two guards approached me—one with rope, the other with a blindfold and gag.
"Mmph! Mmph?!"
And just like that, I was kidnapped by the heroine.
What the fuck.