The library.
Another function within the town.
Countless books were stored here.
Mage manuals. Warrior techniques. And much more.
These past few days, whenever Kael wasn't in the arena, he was here reading.
He closed the book in his hands.
Mage Apprentice Essentials (3).
At that moment, Aetherion prompted him—
The game was about to begin.
Kael walked to the front desk with the book in hand.
"Professor Cat, can I borrow this?"
There was no human attendant.
Instead, a plump tabby cat lay there, its size rivaling that of an orange cat.
The cat slowly opened one eye, clearly annoyed.
Didn't he know nap time was important?
Still—
As a dedicated librarian, it chose to forgive him.
The cat stretched lazily.
Or at least, it tried to.
The extra weight around its belly wobbled noticeably.
A notebook beneath it floated up on its own, flipping open without wind. A feather pen dipped itself in ink and began writing.
"Going into a game, are you?"
It sounded like a question.
But it was spoken like a statement.
The cat had been here a long time.
It knew Aetherion better than most players.
"Deposit is 100 Copper Coins. Pay or leave collateral."
Kael still had a bit of money left.
But after several days in the arena, once he paid the deposit—
He was officially broke.
[System Notification]
Game Starting
Kael disappeared from the library.
The tabby curled back into a ball, pinning the unwilling notebook beneath it as it prepared to resume its nap.
…
"Ugh—"
Kael dropped to the ground, retching.
The teleportation spun his senses violently.
Couldn't Aetherion make this a little smoother?
There were 25 players in total.
A few glanced at him, puzzled by his reaction, but no one paid much attention.
[System Notification]
Location: Plants vs. Zombies World
Objective: Survive for 4 days
Description: Zombies are approaching Dave's house from all directions. Defend the house and protect your brains.
Recommended Level: 10–19
Rewards: Copper Coins, Green Equipment...
"Looks like a reward stage."
"Yeah. With plants helping, this should be easy even without so many players."
A man carrying a cross stepped forward.
"Everyone, listen up. I'm Jake from Iron Fist Guild. Anyone here from my guild?"
A woman in a fitted dress followed.
"I'm Jocelyn from Thorned Rose. Any sisters here?"
Players immediately began grouping up.
Guild members found each other first.
Solo players joined whichever side they preferred.
"What class?"
"Mage."
"How do you prove it?"
Kael raised his staff.
1.5 seconds later—
A fireball appeared.
Jake nodded.
"Welcome."
At this level, no one would waste money faking a class.
Everyone had just finished class advancement.
Everyone was broke.
Aside from Kael, most players were level 10–12.
For many of them, this was their first game after advancing.
The players naturally split into two groups.
Led by Jake and Jocelyn.
Kael quietly stayed at the back.
He acted calm.
Experienced.
But in reality—
He was watching and copying others.
This was a common grouping method.
Guild members first.
Then large guild players as leaders.
They had access to better information.
In Aetherion—
Solo players rarely had a voice.
[System Notification]
Preparation Time Over
Language Function Enabled
Chat Channel Activated
The protective barrier disappeared.
Jake and Jocelyn walked toward the only house nearby.
There was no need to guess whose it was.
Ding dong—
While they approached the door, Kael quietly observed the surroundings.
The sun was bright.
But—
It gave no warmth.
After experiencing the fire trial, Kael was extremely sensitive to temperature.
Dave's yard had no plants.
Had they already been used up?
The area was completely open.
No trees.
Clear visibility.
And that—
Was exactly what made it strange.
Where would the zombies come from?
In the game, players only saw the yard from a fixed perspective.
But standing here in person—
Something felt off.
Bang!
The door slammed open.
Dave stepped out.
Bloodshot eyes.
Exhausted.
Jocelyn stepped forward.
"Mr. Dave, hello—"
Before she could finish—
Dave grabbed both leaders.
"Oh my friends! Heroes from another world! You finally came!"
Thanks to the language function—
He didn't sound like nonsense.
Jake and Jocelyn exchanged a glance.
This didn't match their guild's records.
"RAAAH! These damn zombies keep attacking my house! I haven't slept for a long, long time! So you'll protect my house and let me sleep, right? Hahaha, I knew it!"
Dave let go and began rambling.
Spinning in place as he talked.
"You know what? These zombies are interested in a madman's brain! I say—they must be crazy too!"
"And which idiot added three more doors to my house?! Now zombies can come from four directions! Oh! My poor brain!"
"If I find that bastard, I'll shove his head into a toilet!"
Jocelyn parted her lips slightly.
Her presence became even more alluring.
The players' eyes locked onto her.
She didn't avoid their gazes.
Instead, she showed a faintly sorrowful expression.
"Mr. Dave, don't worry. We'll definitely help you. It's just… is there anything that could help us?"
[System Notification]
Player Jocelyn used Charm on Player Kael
Spirit Check: Passed
Charm Resisted
An area-effect charm.
Kael felt a chill.
If not for the Spirit check—
He would have been affected.
These players…
Could not be underestimated.
Dave, however, showed no reaction to the charm.
Instead, he looked like he was about to fall asleep.
Then suddenly—
His eyes snapped open.
"You want help from a madman? Hahaha! As expected of my friends!"
"But… I'm just a madman! Wahahaha!"
Before Jocelyn could react—
The door slammed shut.
…
Would a real madman call himself mad?
The moment the door closed—
A new notification appeared in Kael's mind.
[System Notification]
Hidden Objective Activated
This world has resulted in multiple total party wipes.
Find the cause.
Reward: Based on completion.
Seed Player Exclusive Task