"Ever since I came here. I've never felt so alive. Was this destiny? To be able to come here?"
Jeonne woke up in bed, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling. He slowly sat up, then stood and stepped outside his room.
The next thing he saw took his breath away—a stunning, majestic view of the ocean stretching into the horizon. He looked around and realized he was in a base built near the cliffs, surrounded by the humble camps of survivors.
Jeonne made his way down to the balcony. From there, he could see people moving about below—families, travelers, and outcasts—each one with a story, each one finding a new life in this sanctuary.
Dansleif approached him, arms crossed casually.
"Those people down there," he said, nodding toward the camps, "they were all saved by Vria. They come from different nations, but Vria's goal is the same—save as many as he can."
Jeonne glanced at him. "I see... I understand why he's your leader now."
Dansleif gave a small smile. "Good to hear that. By the way, what happened to you? You suddenly collapsed out of nowhere."
Jeonne: "I-I don't know... I just... blacked out."
He looked down at his hands, confused, searching for an answer. But then, something clicked.
His eyes widened. He said in his thoughts, "Wait... time here... it keeps moving—even when I'm back in my world."
He looked around again, as if seeing everything with new eyes. "This place... it's real. It doesn't freeze when I leave. It's alive."
Jeonne: "Where are we going?"
Dansleif: "Everyone's eating right now. Let's join them."
He led Jeonne down a winding path that brought them to a large, open cafeteria built from salvaged metal and wood. The scent of warm food lingered in the air, and the sound of chatter echoed through the hall. Survivors sat together in groups, laughing, eating, and sharing stories.
Dansleif handed Jeonne a tray of food, then guided him to a table near the center—where Vria and the rest of the team were already seated.
As soon as they noticed Jeonne, Vria stood up and raised his voice slightly to get everyone's attention.
"This is Jeonne," he said with a warm smile. "Starting today, he's one of us."
The room filled with claps, nods, and welcoming voices. Jeonne felt the warmth of belonging.
Vria: "Let's eat!"
While everyone was eating, Jeonne asked Vria, "Where are we?"
Vria: "Oh, Dansleif, you haven't told him?"
Dansleif: "Oh, I forgot."
Vria: "Hmm. Still forgetting the most important details, huh."
Dansleif smirks.
Vria: "Jeonne, the place we are right now, is the base of the Black Orb Organization...."
Vria gave Jeonne a tour of their base. They were walking along a high ledge overlooking the training grounds, where several members were undergoing training.
Jeonne watched with curiosity until Vria spoke up.
Vria: "That's Noe training our people. His focus is mostly on mastery of different weapon combat."
They descended and entered the training grounds.
Kaizen: "Who's this?"
Vria: "Our new recruit. Kaizen, I'm leaving him with you for a moment. I'll be back soon."
Kaizen: "Alright."
He turned to Jeonne.
Kaizen: "So, did you come here on your own, or did Vria drag you in?"
Jeonne: "No, no—I came here by choice."
Kaizen: "I see. So, what can you do?"
Jeonne: "Huh? What can I do? Uh... I'm willing to learn?"
Kaizen: "Did Vria explain what this group really does?"
Jeonne: "Not everything in detail, but I know you help people who can't fight and support the poor."
Kaizen: "Then you must have something that others don't."
Jeonne: "What do you mean?"
Kaizen: "He's never recruited someone directly under him before."
Jeonne: "Well, should I be proud?"
Kaizen: "Pick up that wooden spear. We're sparring."
Jeonne: "Wait, what?"
Kaizen picked up a spear and readied his stance.
Kaizen: "You heard me."
Jeonne: "Seriously? Hold on, let me prepare!"
He grabbed the wooden spear—but it slipped from his hand. Confused, he reached for it again, but this time, something stopped him. He felt no will to hold it.
Suddenly, a system prompt flashed in his mind.
ERROR
Incompatible weapon!
Jeonne (thought): What the...? Is this because my class is a Assasin?
He picked up a wooden sword instead, the only weapon that didn't resist him.
Kaizen (watching): "Ah... So you're more of a sword guy."
Jeonne: "Wait—wait! Do we really have to do this?"
But Kaizen didn't hesitate. He charged forward, swinging his wooden sword straight at Jeonne.
Jeonne instinctively backstepped, narrowly avoiding the first strike. But Kaizen didn't let up—he followed with another blow.
Jeonne raised his sword just in time to block it, but the force knocked him off balance. He stumbled and fell flat on his back.
Around them, the other trainees burst into laughter.
Mira spotted Jeonne struggling in the training grounds and instinctively took a step forward to help. But Dansleif raised his arm, stopping her.
Dansleif: "We need to see why Kana trusted him."
Jeonne looked around. Everyone was laughing and mocking him.
A trainee in the crowd: "Hey Kaizen! You didn't have to go that hard—he's a newbie!"
The others chuckled and jeered.
Kaizen (to Jeonne): "Get up! Vria might've taken a liking to you, but I don't. You just showed up out of nowhere."
Jeonne slowly rose to his feet. He shook off the doubt clouding his thoughts and steadied his breath. Without a word, he tightened his grip on the sword and took a proper stance.
Kaizen's eyes narrowed. Maybe this guy wasn't a fraud after all.
Without waiting, Kaizen dashed in again, swinging his wooden katana at full speed.
Jeonne met the attack with a solid block, then retaliated with his own strike. The two clashed, trading blow after blow. Wood cracked against wood as their weapons collided.
Kaizen's expression shifted. Jeonne wasn't just some beginner—his movements were sharp, fluid, and precise. He had mid-level swordsmanship, maybe even better.
The crowd fell silent. The laughter faded, replaced with stunned attention.
Jeonne (thought):What's going on? Why does my body move like this? It's like I already know how to fight...
With one final push, Jeonne forced Kaizen back. Kaizen stumbled, lost his footing, and fell.
Jeonne moved in to strike—but stopped the blade inches away. He knew he'd won.
The crowd erupted in applause.
Trainee 1: "Yo! We've got a new member with real skills!"
Trainee 2: "Hell yeah! You're cool, kid!"
Jeonne smiled, his confidence returning as the cheers surrounded him.
Just then, Vria arrived on the scene.
Vria: "What the hell happened here?!"
Jeonne: "He attacked me."
Vria: "Kaizen. My office. Now."
Jeonne waited outside Vria's office, eyes on the floor. Then, the door opened.
Kaizen stepped out and spotted him. For a moment, they just looked at each other—then Kaizen gave him a thumbs-up with a grin before walking away.
Jeonne blinked, confused.
Moments later, Vria stepped out of the office.
Vria: "Sorry about him. He has a habit of sparring with newbies—doesn't matter if you're a man or woman. Everyone goes through something like that when they first join."
Jeonne: "Nah, it's okay. If I were in his place, I'd probably do the same. I mean... I have to earn their trust and respect, right?"
Vria: "Right. Now, come with me. There's something I want to show you."
[MEDICAL TENT]
Jeonne: "The medical tent? Why are we here?"
Vria led Jeonne inside, where an injured woman lay on a cot. A nurse was tending to her wounds.
Vria: "Her name is Lisa. She's one of the survivors from the village."
Then, Vria gently nudged Jeonne to look at another bed across the tent. A young man, surrounded by nurses, lay in a far worse condition.
Vria: "That's Billy. He and Lisa helped take down a Majestus soldier by catching him off guard. But they didn't walk away unscathed."
Jeonne followed Vria as they approached Billy's side. The sight made Jeonne tense—Billy's lower abdomen was bandaged, soaked in blood.
Vria: "He was stabbed by a Majestus soldier. We are still a growing group, so we still lack technology to treat his wounds. There's a hole in his gut. He's in critical condition, and we're doing everything we can to keep him alive."
Jeonne: "Wait... I don't understand. What are you trying to tell me?"
Vria turned to him, eyes sharp and unwavering.
Vria: "I'm showing you the truth—the real enemy of the Black Orb. The real reason we exist."
He paused, his voice hardening.
Vria: "The Majestus Empire might've stopped the war and kept peace for the last 17 years. But peace built on fear and blood isn't peace. Their crimes—racism, tyranny, oppression—can't be erased with gifts, land grants, or shallow royal decrees."
He clenched his fist.
Vria: "They think offering gold, food rations, or 'honorary titles' to the oppressed will wash away centuries of injustice. But it doesn't. It never will."
He looked back at Billy.
Vria: "I can't help it, but they didn't just become goodies after doing all of that. They're planning something we can't expect. That's why the Majestus Empire must fall. So long as the Majestus exists, we, The Black Orb, will also exist in the name of their destruction"
Jeonne; "Where is this Majestus soldier now?"Vria: "I'm about to show him to you."
[A place where they held prisoners captive]
Vria and Dansleif brought Jeonne to a dim, concrete room. At the center, a captured Majestus soldier sat restrained, his face bruised, but his eyes full of arrogance.
Vria stepped forward.
Vria: "This is your final test, Jeonne. I need to know where you stand."
He handed Jeonne a pistol.
Vria: "Kill him. Kill that murderer to prove you're on our side."
Jeonne stared at the gun in his hands, then slowly approached the soldier.
Jeonne: "Why? Why did you do it? Why did you kill them?"
Soldier (laughing): "Hah! Looking for closure? They broke the law. And they were just commoners."
Jeonne: "What exactly did they do?"
Soldier: "Not your business."
Jeonne: "I see."
Jeonne raised the gun, aiming it at the soldier's head.
Soldier (grinning): "I know that look. You're not a killer. Never taken a life, have you? Trust me—I've been in enough battles to tell. You're not pulling that trigger."
The words dug into Jeonne. His hands trembled.
He hesitated... then slowly lowered the gun.
Jeonne: "You're right. I can't do it."
He turned to Vria.
Jeonne: "I'm sorry if this disappoints you. No matter what this scoundrel did... I can't be the judge and executioner. That's not who I am."
Vria's serious expression broke into a smile.
Vria: "That's okay. That's more than enough. You're right—we can't become the judge of someone's life, no matter the crime. You passed the test."
Jeonne (blinking): "Wait... that was a test? Was this gun even loaded?"
Vria (laughing): "Of course not. It'd be a problem if we became like them."
Jeonne let out a relieved chuckle and handed the gun back to Vria.
Vria: "Congratulations. You're now officially part of this group. Dansleif, get him our extravagant uniform."
Jeonne: "Wait, seriously?"
Vria: "Yeah. Meet me at the Strategy Room. We've got work to do."
Dansleif motioned for Jeonne to follow. The two of them exited the room together...
After Jeonne and Dansleif left, Vria remained still for a moment. Then, he turned to the soldier.
He raised the gun.
Soldier: "W–wait! What the hell are you doing?!"
Vria: "Isn't it obvious? I'm killing you."
Soldier (panicking): "No, no—please! What do you want? Money? Land? You want justice, right?! This isn't the way! You don't have to—"
BANG.
Vria pulled the trigger.
The soldier slumped over, lifeless.
Vria lowered the gun, silent.
[LOCKER ROOM]
Danselif hands the uniform.
Jeonne: "Woah. This is amazing! Is this cloth bulletproof?"
Dansleif: "Yes. It's tailored by Mira. Hurry up and get dressed. We're going out."
Jeonne: "Oh. where?"
Dansleif: "To rescue, Kana."
Jeonne: "What? I'm not even prepared for that! Ugh, people in this group are so random!"
[MARKET, HOKKAIDON CITY]
As usual, the Extravagant marched with pride. Known as elite monster hunters, they had earned the kingdom's respect through their unmatched skill in slaying beasts and supplying rare exotic meat. Their name alone stirred awe—and fear—wherever they went.
While passing near a village, a sudden uproar caught their attention.
Shouts and laughter echoed several meters ahead.
Curious, the Extravagant halted. Some exchanged glances. Then, they moved toward the commotion, their presence alone enough to part the gathering crowd.
There, in the heart of the marketplace, was a scene unlike anything they expected.
A man—strikingly handsome, like he was carved from divine marble—stood awkwardly in the center of the market. He was drenched in fruit juice, his clothes stained with the pulp of crushed tomatoes and overripe melons. Pieces of fruit clung to his hair and shoulders like some ridiculous offering from the gods.
The murmurs around him grew into full-blown chaos.
Jeonne and the members of the Black Orb arrived just in time to witness the absurd sight.
They stared. It Nico Dunebarren.
Jeonne (under his breath): "What... the hell am I looking at?"
Nico spots Jeonne , "J-Jeonne !"
Jeonne: "W-what? That's impossible. No one should know that name."
Nico, "Oh my God. I can't believe this!"
Jeonne: "Huh?
Nico: "It's me Nico. Your schoolmate!"
When Jeonne (Jeonne ) finally grasped the situation, he was shocked.
Jeonne "WHAT!."
Nico : "I HAVE NO WORDS."
Jeonne: "H-how is this possible?"
Nico: "This is like playing multiplayer in our dreams!"
Jeonne: "YEAHH!"
At first, Jeonne and Nico were happy at the idea of having a friend from the other side. But as their thoughts deepened, a startling realization dawned on both of them—they really were meeting in their "dreams," interacting, talking, even laughing together. What seemed like a good thing carried unsettling implications. Are we the only ones here? Could there be others? What would happen if I knocked Nico unconscious right now? Would he wake up in the real world?
Their smiles faded, replaced by fear and confusion as they stared at each other in silence, unable to find the words to express their growing unease.
While Jeonne and Nico were filled with mixed emotions, due to their reunion, Vria interrupted them, "Jeonne ..."
Jeonne: "Oh right"
The seller: "Hey, you! What did you do! My business! It's all ruined!"
Nico: "Oh, shit sorry.
The seller: "SORRY? DID YOU REALLY THINK SORRY IS ENOUGH?"
Nico: "Here, I don't know if this is enough."
Nico gave the seller his two golden necklaces and a golden bracelet."
The seller turned from angry to the most intimate and kindest person alive to Nico. The seller thanks Nico."
Jeonne: "Come, with me. We shouldn't be talking in the middle of the crowd...."
[Imperial Federation]
Jeonne and the Extravagant brought Nico to an alley.
Vria: "So, who is he? And why should we care?"
So this is my friend Nico, and Uhh,,,.
Jeonne was speechless. "He couldn't comprehend what was happening. Everything happened so fast."
Vria: " We didn't come here to enjoy a reunion."
Jeonne: "Nico, listen. We are in the middle of something. We are saving lives. We-"
Nico: "I'm in."
Jeonne: "Wait you are? Just like that?"
Nico: "Yeah, I trust you."
Jeonne: "And this is why you're my friend."
Vria: "Hey, handsome boy, what's your sigil?"
Nico: "Uhm, I can charm people, I can make them do what I want them to do, but I can't affect Sigil Users"
Vria: "Wait for real? You are the missing piece in our mission."
Nico: "What mission!"
Jeonne looks at Nico with excitement and says, "We're going to save someone in prison! A prison break!."
Character Highlight:
Name - Vria Goldagger
Height - 5'7
Hobby - ?
Distinct Trait - Blonde hair, scar on his left cheek