Trail

Ren moved closer to the glowing screen and said “Let's see... which character I gain.”

After a small moment of shining, the following text appeared on the system.

[Your psychological trait matches – Dragnoid.]

"...A dragnoid, huh?" he whispered, just as the system vibrate.

Ren was suddenly transported into a huge grassland as the screen blinked brightly. Large fields of moving green stretched before his eyes, and the cool breeze brushed against his face.

Ren feels something strange in the grass. “Ahh-an unexpected monster?!”he said, naturally raising his arm and preparing for battle.

A huge monster with radiating power showed up as the tall grass parted.Ren's look surprised. He immediately tightened his fists, drawing energy into his arm. Light gathered around his knuckles for a few seconds, his focus unbroken.

“Take this-Dragon Punch!”

His fist crashed into the monster's chest as he walked forward. The monster was blasted several meters back into the grass by the thunderous impact.

The monster fell down, and then he headed up and said, 

“H-Hey, chill, Ren! I'm not your enemy! , It's me -Haruto. This is my character.”

Ren blinked with disbelief. “Wait... are you seriously Haruto? That monster's you?

With a big smile spreading across his demonic face, Haruto proudly crossed his arms.

“Of course!  Look closely-I'm demon type. Cool, right?”

Another person appeared from the trees before Ren could reply, their footsteps nearly quiet. Around him, a dark aura moved like living shadows.That person said, “Before your attack, I am Shion.”

Ren's eyes expanded. “Oh... Shion, you too?Tell me what's your character?”

Shion smiled, his eyes displaying a hint of face. “Shadow Monarch.”

Haruto smiled as his demonic aura rose up. “Come on, Ren, let's fight PvP and test our powers!”

Shion gave a small laugh. “Alright then, I’ll be the referee.”

Ren smiled confidently. “Alright, let’s see who’s stronger.”

Both of them stood standing up, their eyes fixed on each other, their bodies tense and burning with strength, preparing their most deadly combat moves.

The battle started with a spark of energy. Ren jumped forward with his fist blazing, aiming to punch Haruto in the face, but Haruto quickly dodged, stepping back, and smiling with confidence. After dodging Ren’s punch, Haruto unleashed Hell Fire. Ren countered that attack and went towards it. Haruto then struck with Black Lightning, hitting Ren directly. Ignoring that damage, Ren retaliated with a punch to Haruto’s face, but Haruto countered with a Dark Fist, smashing into Ren’s chest. Damaged by the Dark Fist, Ren went backward as Haruto used Dark Claws, and Ren dodged just in time.

Shion smiled knowingly. “I think we’ve already found a winner here.”

Ren slammed his fist into the ground, Dragon Fist shattering the ground. Haruto struggled to regain balance. Without hesitation, Ren unleashed Draco Meteor, six meteors barreling toward him. Haruto, out of mana, couldn’t defend; the meteors directly hit, leaving him barely standing. Ren drew his bow, firing an arrow that transformed into a dragon-shaped, striking Haruto directly. With a final impact, Haruto collapsed—KO.

Shion smiled. “Ren’s strategy drained Haruto’s mana completely.”

Haruto looked disappointed. “I lost… but we’re in the game, so we should use our in-game names, not real ones.”

Both moved their heads in yes. Haruto then said, “My in-game name is Genmō.”

Shion smiled slightly. “Then my in-game name is Ruffy.”

Ren looked at them calmly. “My in-game name is Isro.”

The three of them—Ren as Isro, Haruto as Genmō, and Shion as Ruffy—explored the world together, battling monsters, completing quests, and leveling up rapidly alongside their friends.

Thirteen days had already passed since the game trial began, each filled with battles, challenges, and countless hours of strategy and teamwork.

On the last day of the game trial, Shion and Haruto went to school, but Ren took a day off and logged in, to continue playing.

Isro researched items when he sensed something unusual. He rushed to a hill and saw three girls running from hundreds of soldiers. Forming a bow with his hand, he fired an arrow, a direct hit to the mountain, triggering a landslide that blocked the route, killing many soldiers.

The three girls stopped, shocked. “Who did this?” they asked. Isro jumped toward them. “What’s your name?” he asked. A screen appeared. Being NPCs, they communicated through it: “I’m Mio,” “Ruby,” and “Karl.” The landslide moved, but Isro remained calm, knowing soldiers have real players too.

Two real players stepped forward, glaring. “You’re Sabotaged — are a mission.

Isro raised an eyebrow. “What’s your character type?”

The first player said, “Defender.” The second added, “Alchemist. But we need these girls as sacrifices for the kingdom.”

Isro shook his head. “I think this mission has already failed…because they’re too cute.”

Both players charged, ready to attack—but suddenly, the attack froze mid-air and struck directly, leaving all—the players and soldiers—completely frozen.

Then suddenly, a player appeared before Isro, her voice calm yet urgent. “You’re safe now.”

But in the next instant, cracks spread across the ice. Both players shattered free, completely unharmed.

“Soldiers, fire arrows!” the Defender commanded.

The Alchemist used her technique, chanting as glowing symbols lit the sky. “Amplify! Poison Rain!” The arrows ignited with toxic energy, whistling toward them in a deadly storm.

The girl at Isro’s side prepares for battle . “Get ready, we’ll fight together!”

But Isro shook his head. In a swift motion, he grabbed her hand, pulling her close to the three injured girls.“Not today.” He pulled out an item —a teleportation scroll. The magic circle lit beneath them, swallowing their forms in blinding light.

In the next heartbeat, they vanished—just as the storm of arrows rained down, striking only empty ground.

The teleport glow faded, and Isro along with the three NPC girls and the mysterious player landed in a quiet forest clearing. Isro turned, removing the dust from his clothes. “What’s your name?”

The girl placed her hand on her chest. “Shouko.”

Isro said. “Your class students are very stupid… charging into a battlefield like that.”

Shouko’s eyes narrowed slightly, then she smiled. “I’m not from the other schools. I’m a professional gamer.”

“Ohh… then what’s your game name?” Isro asked.

“The same,” Shouko said with a small blush. “Both my real and in-game name is Shouko.” She hesitated before looking back at him. “Then… what about yours?”

Isro gave a calm smile. “Ren.”

Shouko’s cheeks tinted red before she looked away quickly. Isro then approached the injured NPC girls. He pulled out a pouch of coins, handing out a few items . “Take these—rare, one epic items. They should keep you safe.”

The girls bowed deeply. “Thank you, traveler. We’re heading toward the mountainside to live in peace.”

Isro handed them a teleport scroll. “Use this. Tell me your coordinates later if you need help.”

The NPC girls activated the scroll, vanishing in light.

Shouko crossed her arms, watching silently. Then she gave a soft laugh. “You really know how to play. That was smart—using resources like that.”

Isro said. “Just tactics.”

Shouko looked at him seriously. “You’re free now… want to play with me for a while?”

Isro sighed, shaking his head. “Sorry. I have to log out. I'm already exhausted.”

Her face fell. “Oh…”

But before she could turn away, Isro added, “This is just the trial. Once the full game launches, let’s play together sometimes.”

Shouko’s eyes lit up. A faint smile spread on her face. “I’ll be waiting for that.”She walked off, logging out.

Isro, ready to follow. But just as he was about to log out, his vision caught something—an old man NPC, standing quietly under a tree, his presence heavy and unusual.

The old man’s gaze met Isro. His lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

Isro narrowed his eyes as he felt a strange aura from the old man. His instincts feel something suspicious. Stepping forward, he asked, “Do you need something, old man?”

The NPC turned his head slowly, his wrinkled face curling into a knowing smile.“Finally… that day is coming. Tomorrow, the real chess game begins.”

Isro asked. “Chess game? What do you mean? Explain.”

But before he could move closer, the old man’s body glowed faintly with light. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into thin air—teleportation.

Isro froze. His breath caught. “Even… an NPC can use items like that?”

The weight of the words stay in his mind, unsettled. And just as confusion deepened in his heart—

Finally, the game trial is over.