-Shadowhall-
The game's first chapter, "Shadowhall," tells the story of the female and male protagonists' first encounter. As soon as Ellen and her partner enter a game area set in a quiet town, their clothing immediately changes to early 20th-century attire. Although they play original characters in the game, they also have the right to change their names to their originals.
Ellen is now separated from her partner as the game's story begins. She's actually very curious about her real-life partner's identity. Moreover, the young man's handsome face had made her heart race earlier in the game lobby. The first time she decided to play this game after its launch quite a while ago, she immediately found a very handsome partner, even more handsome than her boyfriend. She decided to play this game because she felt lonely since her boyfriend's filming schedule was busier than the others. Because the game had a mystery and adventure theme, she decided to give it a try.
Her first experience playing this game was certainly quite surprising, as she didn't expect to experience an adventure in an RPG, both open-world and action. She was very curious about the creator of this game, as it was rumored that the creator didn't want to reveal his identity publicly. Entering a game set in the early 20th century, where everyone lives a simple lifestyle, she plays a private detective who usually saves the poor from all kinds of hardship.
As she wandered alone in a small town in Shadowhall, she suddenly heard a child screaming. She quickly ran to the child being attacked by bandits. Of course, she had to complete her first mission: to save this child without any help. She lowered her head for a moment, remembering the martial arts she had learned during the action scenes. She slowly stepped in front of the child, who was about to be hit by the bandit leader, as she pulled a dagger from her skirt pocket and stabbed the leader's hand.
PAKK
When the bandit's head was stabbed, his men, unwilling to lose, immediately attacked the beautiful woman without hesitation.
Ellen smiled sinisterly as she gripped her dagger, nimbly stabbing the bandits' arms and legs while kicking them roughly in the stomach. The little girl watching was amazed and continued to cheer her on.
In just a short time, she managed to eliminate five bandits at once. She immediately took a short break, squatting in front of the little girl. Her hand gently stroked her tiny head.
"Are you hurt?"
The little girl shook her head slowly. "No. Thank you for saving me."
"You shouldn't wander around at night. Your parents will worry about you."
"She doesn't have parents here."
A cold male voice made her stiffen. She slowly turned to face the handsome young man who had invited her to play in the lobby, her eyes wide. His appearance, dressed in an early 20th-century duke's uniform, and his tall, muscular body made it difficult for her to swallow. She finally met her partner in this game, though she thought he would surely flee after agreeing to play with her.
However, she felt offended by the man's words, making her brow furrow. "What?"
Flint's gaze fell on the little girl hiding behind the beautiful woman. "This little girl grew up in an orphanage. She got lost in town on her way to buy snacks."
"Really?"
Flint slowly walked toward his partner. "I came here because I received a report of this child missing. That's why I wanted to save her, but you saved her first."
Ellen looked the young man over from head to toe. "You're a Duke, do you have the right to be a hero?"
"Of course. I've always saved someone or looked for something valuable for someone."
"How about we return this little girl to the orphanage first?"
After completing her first mission, returning the little girl to her original place, she now strolls leisurely with this handsome young man under the cherry blossom trees, the fluttering petals making her eyes sparkle. She longed to see this beautiful scenery with her lover in spring, but he always avoided her with all sorts of filming-related excuses. Now her wish has come true thanks to playing this game.
Flint also smiled brightly at this woman, who looked even more adorable when she smiled, revealing her dimples. It was the first time he felt his heart pounding when he met a woman. He usually paid no attention to women, but now he was starting to feel attracted to them.
"By the way, you act as if you've never seen a cherry blossom tree," he sneered.
"It was more like the first time I saw this beautiful cherry blossom scene. I wondered who the game's creator was. He managed to make me fall in love with it."
"Really?" Flint smiled awkwardly at that. He wanted to say that he was the one who created this fun game.
"Because this game makes me feel less lonely." A heavy sigh escaped her lips. "Actually, I have a boyfriend, but we don't go out very often."
Flint furrowed his eyebrows. "Isn't everyone supposed to love dating?"
"Actually, I'm a newly rising actress, while my boyfriend is a famous actor." She suddenly realized she had accidentally revealed her and her boyfriend's identities to a stranger and slapped her forehead. "Oh my gosh! I shouldn't have revealed my current status to anyone."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"Really?"
"In fact, I have never revealed any secrets all this time."
Ellen laughed awkwardly, folding her arms. "I saw you being mobbed by women in the lobby earlier. Are you actually an actor or a model?"
Flint shook his head innocently. "No."
"But, why don't you want to play with them?"
"Because they all just want to take advantage of me. I've never trusted anyone easily."
"Then why do you want to play with me?"
"Because I know you're a good woman." He looked away, staring at the cherry blossom tree. "Until now, everyone has been telling me to get married. Is it a sin for me to decide to live alone all my life?"
Ellen smiled warmly as she caught one of the cherry blossom petals. "No. I think you can do it."
Hearing someone else support his decision for the first time made him smile faintly. His eyes sparkled as he watched his partner's smile.
Meanwhile, Ellen returned her gaze to the cherry blossom petals continuing to fall around them. "Everyone has their own story. Although I don't know what you're like in the real world, I simply support your decision as your playmate."
"You… want to play with me forever?"
"Of course, if I have free time and my boyfriend is very busy."
"But, why do you still want to play with me when you rejected all the men earlier?"
"The reason is the same as yours. I know they're just trying to take advantage of me, but you seem genuinely interested in hanging out with me."
Flint couldn't help the happy smile that spread across his handsome face. He grew increasingly impatient to continue playing with his new friend the more anxious he became. "So, how about we go back to the game's story to finish our first mission?"
"Okay, the important thing is that you want to play with me."
"Since we've decided to become playmates, I'd like you to work with me to find the culprit behind the chaos surrounding the palace. I sense something odd about the recent incidents."
Ellen nodded, extending her right hand. "Of course I want to work with you, Flint."
As they shake hands, they return to the real world and add each other to their in-game friends list.