Chapter 2

2. The World Inside the Game (2)

Hidden Piece (히든 피스).

A fragment hidden within the game by the developer, also known as an Easter egg.

Since it is deliberately hidden, one must satisfy stringent conditions to find it.

That is precisely what a 'Hidden Piece' is.

In the case of "The Hero of the Academy," a combination of special conditions such as traits, items, combinations, and quests must be met to unlock it.

While there are some easy conditions, most require meeting stringent conditions. In fact, ...

'Not all that is unlocked is necessarily good.'

There are cases where one must play with 50% reduced health, or play while constantly poisoned and dependent on antidotes.

My current situation is one of those.

However,

"Who would have thought there would be a Hidden Piece that forces you to change your lines... It's astonishing."

Of course, it's not all bad.

It's the first Hidden Piece I've seen, and it activates as soon as the game starts.

I have about 1,950 Hidden Pieces left to find, being the only one left.

Playing with this bizarre Hidden Piece, I might be able to find dozens of them.

However,

'The biggest problem is that this is reality.'

Half-closed eyes, strange speech patterns, a perpetually smiling face, and an ominous aura.

Just by looking, it's a suspicious character.

I couldn't predict how this Hidden Piece would affect future events.

"Well, there's no need to worry about it."

I've become a character in the game, and my speech patterns are automatically corrected.

This is an undeniable reality.

It means I have no choice but to move forward.

There are many unpredictable things, but fortunately, there are also many things I can predict.

I'm a veteran of this game.

Thinking about it, I felt more at ease.

It's more due to the power of the [Mental Defense] skill, though.

"Still... What should I do from now on?"

"The Hero of the Academy" is a game where quests form the basis of progression.

You clear given quests to receive rewards or intentionally fail to receive penalties.

'If there are no quests, the range of Hidden Pieces that can be used decreases...'

At that moment, a large blue window appeared before my eyes.

-Special conditions have been met, and you have been invited into the game.

You know too much about the game, so a penalty is applied.

Penalty: A Hidden Boss appears.

When the protagonist's party enters the boss room of each episode, a portal to the Hidden Boss room opens.

Inside the portal, a Hidden Boss stronger than the original boss exists.

(The abilities of the Hidden Boss can be checked in the information window.)

(This does not apply to the final boss, for which there is no clear experience.)

Clear: Return to Earth + Wish (usable on Earth)

Fail: Game Over + Death in reality

Ah, I see.

In summary, while the protagonist's party is fighting the main boss, I am supposed to retreat and defeat the Hidden Boss?

If I fail, I die for sure?

This is so easy. No, ...

"Are you kidding me?"

Although I said, "Are you kidding me?" my speech pattern was automatically corrected.

This made me even angrier.

I'll die before I even get to the final boss!

But reality is harsh.

The only thing that greeted me was a single, chilling blue window.

-Enroll in the 'Andwood Academy' of the Answood Empire.

If assigned to the advanced class, additional rewards are given.

Reward: 200 EXP, 10 Gold

Additional Reward: Shop Window (S) Skill

Penalty: All stats reduced by 1

This quest is not much different from when playing as a main character.

The main stage of the story is Andwood Academy, after all.

A prestigious academy boasting a considerable size and talent pool, where it's entirely plausible for protagonists who can cleave the earth and sky with a single sword to exist.

'Enroll in the academy...?'

Well, the first quest is quite difficult due to the 'entrance exam,' but for a veteran like me, it's as easy as walking on the ground.

However,

"Feeling like the game has truly started, huh."

Why so much talk for the first quest?

It's a feature of the game.

"The Hero of the Academy" is a game with high freedom.

This means that even if you don't complete this quest, other routes can open up.

'The penalty of stat reduction in this game is worth accepting.'

Early stat reduction is painful, but not insurmountable.

My goal is to defeat the final boss.

More so in the mid-late game. I need to look to the distant future.

'I think I've found everything I thought I could find in the academy. Being a student will also limit my range of action...'

Under normal circumstances, I would have accepted the penalty and moved on to the next quest.

However,

'It's dangerous.'

What has changed from playing the original game.

I'm inside the game, and death here means death in reality.

Therefore, the first thing I need to consider is 'risk' and 'safety.'

"The Hero of the Academy" is a fantasy world.

Besides nobles and commoners, there are also the poor, slaves, and other races.

In other words, bandit and thief attacks are frequent, and the sudden appearance of a master-level assassin while walking down the street is not uncommon.

Of course, such sudden events have a probability lower than 1%. But,

'It could happen now.'

My head is spinning for the first time in a long while.

It's not difficult. In fact, it's enjoyable.

There's something I don't know. This game has given me such a dilemma.

It's too good. I can't help but smile widely.

"Let's accept the quest."

After a moment's thought, this is the most rational choice.

There are four reasons for my decision.

One, according to my memory, no one has played a character like this.

Even if someone has, they wouldn't know as much about Hidden Pieces as I do, and this will continuously influence the story and lead to the discovery of new Hidden Pieces.

This means a high probability of finding new Hidden Pieces in the academy.

Two, as mentioned earlier, it's dangerous.

I can't go outside without knowing what the next quest is.

My current skills are not for combat.

Three, the [Shop Window] skill is something I've never heard of or seen before.

I don't know what it is, but it's an S-rank skill. Judging from the name, it seems to have no drawbacks.

If it's a shop where you can buy skills or items, it's definitely worth getting.

Four, there are Hidden Pieces in the academy that need to be preempted.

Several of them fall into the hands of the antagonist during the story, becoming the final boss's skills and items.

But if I take them away?

I get stronger, and the enemy gets weaker. Missing such an opportunity would be foolish.

'But just attending the academy won't be enough to defeat the final boss.'

Then,

"Hehe, I'll just drop out halfway."

A short one year, or a long two years.

Collect as many Hidden Pieces as possible in and around the academy, then move to other areas.

The quests given in the academy are generally easy.

Enough time to adapt to the game world and become strong enough to explore outside.

"Being able to see the protagonists directly is also a significant advantage."

Eighteen years since its release.

Despite the appearance of numerous games and characters, the various protagonists and supporting characters in this game have a charm that doesn't pale in comparison.

Being able to meet them doubles the fun.

I'm a very social person.

I'll be friends with them in no time.

"It's enjoyable. Really enjoyable."

Such choices will be presented to me until I clear the game.

There will be difficult times, and times when I have to make painful choices.

But,

"Let's give it a try. It seems interesting."

With that, I stepped out the door.

With a bright smile.

* * *

But my smile didn't last long.

Why?

"Ah... I'm in a bit of a bind."

I'm currently in the square in front of the main gate of Andwood Academy.

The place is bustling with people, but strangely, the area around me is empty.

A small circular space formed by the crowd.

I stand alone in the center, like a dot.

If I move, the circle moves with me.

What does that mean?

People are avoiding me.

As if avoiding a dirty bug.

"Hehe, hello there?"

"Kyaa!! Pervert!!"

"..."

When I spoke to a girl standing there, she screamed and ran away.

Just by speaking, I'm labeled a pervert.

I think I had a similar experience in school... but it must have been my imagination.

"I've never seen such a face before."

"Is that right? It's always drawn in history books..."

"Is it just in history books? The black mage who brought death to the continent had eyes like that too."

Murmurs.

That's right. That's why people are avoiding me.

From petty crimes like theft, assault, and confessions (?) to major incidents like treason, rebellion, war, and demon summoning.

Their faces are similar to mine.

Small eyes. The 'half-closed eyes' look.

'Too noticeable.'

It's a fantasy world with a Western appearance. A world with distinct features.

With eyes so small they look half-closed, it's natural to stand out.

"Something feels ominous. I don't want to get close."

"It's best to be careful."

Add the aura emitted by the [Ominous Aura] skill.

It's no wonder a circle formed around me.

'This is a problem. To pass the entrance exam easily, I need at least one person's help.'

The condition to get into the 'advanced class.'

A rather stringent condition for someone without combat-related skills.

"Moreover, with red hair... It's scary."

"Ma'am, don't worry. I'm here, aren't I?"

This is not racial discrimination but human discrimination.

"Really, really... To say such things. Even I would be hurt."

"What kind of speech pattern is that! Are you insulting me now?"

Using my social skills to speak to someone results in this.

It's really a dog-like speech pattern.

I bowed slightly and took a step back.

At this point, it's better not to speak at all.

Just as I was closing my mouth, I saw a girl approaching me.

Confident strides, slightly blue-black hair, a perfectly neat ponytail, and a name tag hanging from her left arm.

I immediately knew who she was.

"Indeed... A suspicious character just by looking."

One of the main characters in "The Hero of the Academy."

Rodelin de Lucid had descended before my eyes.