A Major Problem: Astria Online Becomes Reality
A major problem: Astria Online had become reality. Even amid the storm of chaos that struck like lightning, time marched on. April had given way to May, a full month ago. As the cherry blossoms faded from full bloom, the world reeling from the great upheaval began to steady itself, fortifying defenses. Governments worldwide allied with players to launch operations reclaiming their territories.
Was it deliberate? No major boss monsters had appeared yet. In that suffocating flow of events, what had to burst finally did.
It had been two months since I'd holed up in my apartment. I, Sertina, now faced the greatest crisis of my life.
As I stared at my smartphone, a disaster alert popped up without warning.
[World Boss Appearance Response Guidelines]
Dear citizens,
This is an advisory from the Republic of Korea government.
If you spot a World Boss, do not engage. Hide immediately.
If you evade successfully, report the sighting to the government and Player Alliance at once.
Mass subjugation teams will be assembled via guilds partnered with the government. We pledge to prioritize your safety.
I nodded and dismissed the message. It was expected. Nothing surprising there.
I was facing a far graver issue.
My hand trembled as I yanked open the fridge door.
"The food... it's all gone..."
My gaze shook, denying the empty void inside. I'd ordered everything via delivery apps until now. Running out was inevitable.
I swallowed dryly, tapping a shaky finger on one of the few remaining icons.
"D-Delivery app..."
We apologize. The site is currently overloaded and cannot process orders.
Sertina was dealt a heavy blow.
"Hey, Lee Min-ho! Time to roll out."
The archer Yunsia, bow slung over her shoulder, waved from the truck bed.
This bustling site, where dozens hauled supplies, was the survivor outpost at Seoul Forest Station. A small group of players guarded it. Swordsman Lee Min-ho, level 4300, was one.
Lee Min-ho vaulted over sandbags and barricades at the entrance, landing in the truck bed.
Spiked steel plates and bars reinforced the cab front.
Paat! A gleaming sword materialized at his waist in a burst of light. Inventory—a subspace immune to bulk or weight, storing Astria Online items. The game's system had manifested in reality.
Lee Min-ho selected a few armor pieces from the floating window.
Paat! Paat! Light overlapped, transforming his tracksuit: shining pauldrons over top, steel gauntlets completing the set. He gripped and released his sword hilt, adjusting to the new feel.
"The convenience store from last time?" he asked toward the cab.
"Nah, the follow-ups cleaned it out. Side road has a mart—untouched, should be pristine."
Lee Min-ho eyed the driver's nape dubiously via the mirror. The man grinned slyly back.
"C'mon, what? Worried I'll screw up like before?"
"You blasting magic to 'clear the path' last time? Hard to trust you won't."
Lee Min-ho crossed his arms. The driver scratched his head awkwardly.
"Rookie mage mistake. Cut me some slack?"
"That 'mistake' drew a wolf pack—nearly wiped the party. Do it again, and I'm ditching you."
"Hey, highest level here can't say that! What about us ladies left behind?"
The green-haired girl beside the driver propped her interlaced hands behind her head, bored.
"How long you gonna chat? I'm napping if we don't move."
"Alright, alright. Everyone set? Starting her up."
Earth-made goods couldn't go in inventory, limiting hauls. They'd repeat this truck-loading tedium whenever food ran low.
Driver Kim Min-seok knocked out windshield shards, grumbling.
"Ugh, gotta clear these first. Hey, Tier, any word from the government forces?"
"Dunno. Still haven't reclaimed Seoul outskirts, I hear."
Green-haired priest Lee Sol-ah, aka Tier, slung her white stone staff over her shoulder. A warm aura emanated from it—priest's HP recovery trait.
"Sigh, what're we expecting from those incompetents? Gotta hold our own."
Kim Min-seok muttered as he turned the wheel. The government had partnered with major guilds, absorbing rising powers to solidify control.
At the tall barbed-wire gate, he glanced back sternly.
"Eyes sharp, folks. Real wilds start here."
"Scouting's on me."
Yunsia nocked an arrow, knee bent low in the bed, ready.
Guards signaled, swinging the gate open. Kim Min-seok bit his lip, exhaling to shake tension.
"Hmm, this work?"
In the master bedroom's full-length mirror, Sertina twisted awkwardly.
Surprisingly, her inventory held spare clothes—not many, but the black hoodie hid her face perfectly. She was the World Boss Sertina now; identity concealed.
Bottoms... anything goes. No one IDs by legs.
She picked the nearest bottoms option: pristine white pleated skirt, like eternal snow on peaks. Fashion? No clue. Grabbed blindly. Centuries rolling in battlefields with beasts had killed any sense. CPR wouldn't revive it.
Buttoned to the neck, hood pulled low. Red sneakers on—outfit done.
Before leaving: Tap shoe toe to floor behind. Roll shoulders, light stretch.
'Gotta face it. Can't rot like a shut-in forever.'
Resolve firm, she acted swift. Gripped door handle, leaned forward with bated breath.
Beep-beep! Deadbolt clicked open. Sultry outer air seeped in.
Tense steps. I stepped back into this vast world.
Sudden combat erupted. Swordsman Lee Min-ho issued calm orders.
"Hold formation! Yunsia, explosive arrows. Kim Min-seok, ice bind!"
Ping! Kwagwagwak! Bowstring thrummed; ice chains burst from earth.
"Kuwoek?"
Monsters bound, movements sealed. Lee Min-ho dashed in, slashing.
"Hah!"
Shiiik! Chwaak! Clean twin strikes. Bone-crushing feedback raced up the blade. The red-furred, horned bear crumpled, neck snapped.
[Red Horn Bear]
Government C-Rank Top-Tier | Avg. Level 3900
Lee Min-ho trusted his skill, near 4300 himself, but multiples strained even him. And this was reality—no pain immunity like the game. Minor wounds hindered. No tanking hits casually.
Mage Kim Min-seok clutched his arm, groaning, brow furrowed.
"Urk, blood won't stop. HP under half. Damn, why always during supply runs?"
"Stay still! Moving makes it hard to heal!"
Blood soaked his leather gloves. Lee Min-ho shouted at Tier healing furiously.
"Kim Min-seok, fall back! Yunsia, cover the flank!"
Then Yunsia's eyes widened, finger jabbing behind him.
"Lee Min-ho! Behind you!"
Desperate cry spun him. A massive black paw like an eagle's talon slammed his upright blade.
Thud!
"G-Graaaah!"
Three times larger. Obsidian fur, elongating black claws screeching on steel.
Kkiiigigigik!
[Black Horn Bear]
Government B-Rank | Avg. Level 4500
"Shit, why this bastard now?!"
True B-rank. Beyond Lee Min-ho's match. Felt like wood under a hydraulic press.
"Nngh!"
Lips bitten, he glared into its glowing red eyes. Sneering at the savage face, he pulled one lip back.
Perhaps his last fight. He'd squeeze every ounce.
"You fucker!"
Veins bulging, face flushed like bursting. Arms swelled, veins popping over muscle.
As full power strained to breaking—
Puk! Krunch! Sickening crack from the Black Horn Bear's back.
Blade pressure vanished.
"Puhak!"
Lee Min-ho spat his last lungful, shoving off the paw. Something tumbled from behind it.
"...Spine?"
He muttered blankly. Someone pierced its hide, yanked the spine? A government B-rank?
...Who?
Query brief. Soft footsteps tapped earth.
He gulped, knuckles white on hilt, staring at the approaching figure.
A terrifying being that might treat a Black Horn Bear like candle flame.
The beast's bulk tilted slowly, limbs splaying on asphalt.
Thud.
Emerging leisurely behind: a petite girl, faint blood-red eyes glinting from her deep hood.