IN GAMAND
NO. 06
W. Seolha
[What is your real name?]
"…name?"
It was only then that I realized what that 'something was wrong.' My mouth, which had been twitching to utter the three letters of the name, snapped shut. At the same time, my mind began to fill with confusion. "This makes no sense," was the word that escaped my lips this time.
"Hey, hey, what's up? Why... I'm kind of dumbfounded right now, huh? It's really absurd, but...,"
[…….]
"I don't know my name. I can't remember."
[…….]
"…Are you crazy?"
The name I had been called by countless people—not even the playful remark asking if I was forgetting my name because there was nothing else to forget came to mind. How could I forget it? How could I ever forget it? It felt as if someone had erased my three-letter name, leaving me staring at a blank, pure white sheet of paper. It was the moment I felt a emotion that could truly be described as despairing.
[Achievement Achieved]
congratulations!
you are
The one who forgot their name
Achieved the achievement.
You acquire the title 'The One Who Forgot His Name'.
Glorious achievements are saved.
[alarm]
You have met all the entry conditions for the hidden quest.
[alarm]
Attempting to enter the hidden quest.
Blue windows repeatedly appeared and disappeared into my field of vision. I stared blankly at the blue fragments blooming before my eyes, as if something were breaking and shattering. I felt dizzy.
[Hidden Quest: The One Who Forgot His Name]
The power of a name is greater than you think.
Your self, your memory,
Besides that, everything that makes you up
It is associated with your name.
To you who have forgotten your name,
[condition]Whenever satisfies
One letter of the name is given.
Find all the letters
Find your name.
[Condition 1]Error / Unable to view
[Condition 2]Error / Unable to view
[Condition 3]Error / Unable to view
compensation :Your name
Would you like to proceed with the quest?Y / N
[alarm]
Abnormal access is detected.
[alarm]
Automatically accepts the quest.
What is with this arbitrary behavior? I couldn't help but burst into laughter, first at the word "achievement," and then at the word "auto-accept." An achievement? It's like they're making fun of me. An achievement I don't even want, and what?
"Hidden Quest?"
[what?]
"Are you kidding me? Do you really have to give me a quest even in a situation like this? It's not like you're making fun of me or anything, what kind of behavior is this?"
[Wait a minute, what are you talking about?]
The system's voice, filled with extreme panic, rang out. Even amidst his tone, a mixture of doubt and bewilderment, I could not seem to calm down. The fact that I could not properly remember a single name—the one I had used my entire life—seemed to torment me. I spoke in a voice tinged with irritation, almost shouting.
"Why are you pretending not to know? What is that quest you just gave me?!"
[No, what on earth are you talking about? Calm down and speak slowly. A quest? What quest are you talking about?]
"…I mean the hidden quest."
[… A hidden quest?]
However, something was off. The system spoke as if it were being unfairly accused and had no idea what was going on. You could tell just by looking at how it kept repeating the phrase "hidden quest." A hidden quest that even the system doesn't know about? Could such a thing even exist? The question naturally arose in my mind.
"You didn't do this quest?"
[Wait a minute, a hidden quest… As far as I know, there doesn’t seem to be a hidden quest that would be assigned in this situation… What’s the name of the quest?]
"…The one who has forgotten his name."
A heavy, thud echoed through the air. I could see the blue walls enveloping the entire subspace vibrating violently. As if rejecting something, countless graphic fragments appeared and vanished repeatedly. With the question "Why on earth?" lingering in my mind, I waited for the vibrations to subside. Eventually, just as the half-crushed space returned to its original state, the system's terribly trembling voice was heard once again. [What did you say...?]
"The One Who Forgot Their Name. That's the name of the hidden quest."
[… There is no such hidden quest.]
"…Then what is this quest I received?"
The system gave no response. However, the walls of this subspace, still vibrating faintly, indicated that he was in an extremely anxious state. Occasionally, amidst the crackling sounds, angry voices could be heard saying, "[Damn it]" and "[Does this make sense?]"
I felt my head, which had been burning up, gradually calm down. As if the system were feeling the same way, even the blue wall, which still vibrated slightly, completely regained its stability. I slumped into my seat. It was because my legs had given out. From running away as if being chased by another player to the hidden quest suddenly assigned to me—not just one, but several things that could have been easily overcome had occurred, leaving my body extremely tense. I caught my breath. After all, getting worked up now wouldn't solve a single thing.
[… We’re screwed. You’d better go back to the inn for now.]
"Because you don't really know either?"
[It hurts my pride to say this, but you're right. From your messed-up status screen to the hidden quests, I didn't get involved in a single thing. I suspect someone intervened in your system itself and created an 'error'.]
"error?"
[It’s a bit long to explain in detail, but anyway, just know that someone intervened in your system and your status window turned out that way. It’s up to me to figure out who did it now. You… .]
The system fell silent for a moment. I asked as I picked up the blood-stained cloak lying on the floor. Me? What?
[Hmm, I think it would be a good idea to find a helper.]
"Suddenly, what kind of helper is this?"
[First of all, since you haven't even learned how to use the system, you need to get help from others just to learn it. I mean other players. If you think about the main quests that will be assigned to you in the future, attempting to complete them without the system is practically suicide.]
"…Is it only that much?"
[…Uh, anyway, I’m going to assign you finding a helper as a quest. So get a lot of help from them,]
"Wait a minute, so who is that helper?"
[Who else? You already found it, so why are you asking?]
"Looking for whom...?" I had been about to blurt out, but my mouth snapped shut. Thinking "No way," I rummaged through my belongings, threw them aside, sprang to my feet, and glared into the void. "Hey, really? You aren't thinking of that person, are you?" I asked, but the System only let out a snicker. I thought to myself: if the System had a face, it would surely look like it was dying of amusement. At the sight of the figure projected onto the blue wall, I couldn't help but feel the color drain from my face. Could the only player I had met in this world be anyone other than that man who had tried to slash my throat earlier?
"Hey! This is a bit much!"
[What do you mean it's not? I told you, he finished his job change the fastest, and he's top-tier at handling the system, you know? It's good to get help from him.]
"If it were you, would you be able to work while laughing with someone holding a knife to your throat?!"
[Ugh, I don't know. Anyway, he's the only player near you right now, so it can't be helped. I'm telling you, it can't be helped! So try to charm him properly!]
"Hey, you…!"
Before a curse could even escape my lips, the deep blue walls of the subspace began to shatter into pieces. Deep blue graphic fragments scattered through the air, scattering my vision in disorientation. Amidst my threatening voice shouting, "I won't let you get away with this next time!", I suddenly thought I heard the System's laughter.
IN GAME
When I returned looking distinctly different from when I left the inn, the innkeeper, seeing my clothes clearly stained with blood, showed no sign of panic and simply said he would bring up a bath. He didn't forget to take away my cloak, which was already soaked in blood and unusable. He is quite perceptive. Then again, dealing with haughty nobles must have allowed even the most basic senses to develop. I rummaged through my pockets, handed the innkeeper a single gold coin, and whispered. The innkeeper, instantly understanding that I hadn't left my room since arriving, accepted the coin and gave a slight nod. With a satisfied smile, I went up to my room.
Fortunately, Jin seemed unaware that I had been missing for a while. Even after I had fully soaked in the bathwater brought up by the inn staff, dried my long, flowing hair, changed into fresh clothes, and thrown myself onto the bed, Jin did not come out of his room. For me, it was undeniably a relief.
Two days later, it was the day of the Academy's entrance exam. I could sense that Jin, who had come to meet me, looked darker than ever, but I said nothing. Pretending not to know, I took the exam, and in my opinion, it was a success. Or rather, the difficulty was such that I felt I could at least get admitted. Although I had prepared for countless exams in the modern era, such as the CSAT and TOEIC, the entrance exam for the infamous Merlin Academy was incomparable. With just two essay questions that demanded immense basic knowledge and application skills, I had to rack my brain the entire time I was taking the test. It was a relief that the answers I produced were satisfactory; otherwise, I would have left the exam room with a furrowed brow.
Did you do well on the test?
"Yeah, well... so-so?"
"…Right, I see. Good job."
I scratched the back of my neck with a faint smile, unable to get used to the awkward atmosphere. Jin said nothing more, wearing only a warm smile. Even after getting angry at me, he tried his best to show me only the same affectionate side he used to. However, the occasional dark expressions on his face already made it clear that this was not his true intention, so I couldn't help but feel quite uncomfortable.
We headed to the inn in silence. Jin seemed to have reopened the book he had been reading since arriving in the North, while I simply stared blankly at the streets rushing by. Come to think of it, I really need to buy a new cloak. Thinking that I might as well go out and look around the North while I'm at it, I took in the tranquil scenery. Since the book I was reading contained many interesting stories about the North, my curiosity about the streets had deepened. However, would Jin really allow me to go out alone? As Jin was acting as the guardian of Yulia, who was strictly still a minor, it seemed right to seek his permission before venturing out into the streets. I couldn't just barge out recklessly like I had the other day. "Well, surely he wouldn't refuse permission just to look around the streets, even if she is a minor," I thought—but my complacent thought was brutally shattered by a single remark from Jin.
No, Lia.
My face automatically contorted at the words of refusal that came out of Jin's mouth. "...Why?" I asked in a voice of incomprehension, and Jin closed the book he was reading as he answered.
"…I don't know why you insist on traveling alone, but this isn't the Duchy of Orte. Besides, you…,"
"……."
"Why are you trying to travel alone when your memory isn't even intact? The North is more dangerous than you think."
"I know you're worried, but I'm not a child. Of course, since I'm a minor, I legally need a guardian, but seventeen isn't exactly a young age. I'm just going out for a moment, so do I really need to take someone with me?"
"Where in the world would you find a princess wandering around alone without a single escort, Yulia? I'm not saying you're immature. I know that just because you've lost your memory doesn't mean you think like a child."
"……."
"…What I was trying to say is that the North is a more dangerous region than you think for traveling alone. I don't know why you insist on going alone, but unless you take at least one knight with you, I cannot allow it."
"...Okay." Jin gave a faint smile at my reluctant reply. "Thank you for understanding, Lia." At those words, I just nodded vaguely. To me, who was used to living alone, Jin's mindset that I absolutely had to act with someone felt like shackles tightly binding my ankles. It was incredibly uncomfortable. But what could I do? This wasn't the place I used to live. I knew all too well that avoiding unnecessary suspicion would be more helpful for the future.
The carriage slowly stopped in front of the inn. Jin stepped out of the carriage and held out his hand to me. Taking his hand, I carefully stepped out and spoke to Jin.
"Then I'll go out with Sir Evan. That's okay, right?"
"okay."
Jin answered with a faint smile. Sir Evan was a highly skilled knight even among the Duke of Orte's family, so there was no real reason for him to object. I returned to my room, quickly gathered the items scattered haphazardly on the desk, and stepped out of the inn once again. Jin was waiting for me at the entrance, as if to greet me upon my departure.
"…I'll be back, big brother."
Take care on your trip.
He had been keeping his head down, but as soon as he heard my footsteps, he completely wiped away the countless emotions lingering on his face and flashed a warm smile, just as he always did. After being embraced by him as he slightly opened his arms and sharing a light hug, I left the inn, leaving Jin behind as he gave instructions to the knight. A chilly wind, typical of the North, blew in. Behind the knight who was hurriedly chasing after me, I saw Jin looking at me. Our eyes met for just a fleeting moment. For some reason, I felt strange.
/
"Sir Evan, do you happen to know where Blacksmith Street is?"
The knight accompanying me under the pretext of escorting me guided me without questioning my sudden inquiry. This was because the blacksmiths' alley on Merlin Street was very famous throughout the Empire. As a place overflowing with artisans, and considered a must-visit spot if one stopped by the North—whether due to the Academy or not—he seemed to assume it was merely the young lady's simple curiosity.
Guided by Sir Evan, I arrived at the blacksmiths' alley, which was swarming with people. The clanging of tempering and the clash of hammers and iron rang out deafeningly. Given the nature of the work being done, it seemed that about 90% of the people filling the alley were men. Consequently, being relatively short, I had to struggle to make my way through the passage. I glanced sideways at Sir Evan, who was following me anxiously worried I might bump into something, and then I pressed on. The blacksmiths' alley stretched all the way from the center of Merlin Street to the outskirts, and naturally, the further I went out, the fewer people there were. It was only when I finally reached an alley that was practically deserted that I began to slowly look around.
The sound of iron being hammered still rang out deafeningly. I walked slowly, and upon discovering a blacksmith shop on the very edge of the outskirts—much smaller than the others—I walked toward it.
"Kyung, Kyung, please wait outside."
"Excuse me? Um, Princess, I'm sorry, but the Young Duke..."
"What, are you worried I might run away?"
Silence was an affirmation. Receiving such a reaction to a remark I had uttered half-jokingly, the smile on my lips slowly faded. I could clearly see Sir Evan fidgeting as he watched my expression grow colder, but I wasn't in the mood to force a smile for him. Ah, no wonder; lately, I had felt a strange emotion lingering in Jin's eyes as he looked at me. What lay beneath the wrapper of worry was the pitch-black emotion of suspicion. Upon realizing this, I felt the excitement I had felt about going out for the first time in a long while sink in an instant.
"…I am sorry, Princess, the Young Duke…."
"I see. My brother told me to stick close and keep an eye on him because I might run away."
"……."
"…Never mind, well, I didn't expect anything anyway."
Is this an escort? It's surveillance. Ignoring all of Sir Evan's words pouring out like excuses, I opened the blacksmith's door. A rough bell rang out.
The small shop was filled with all sorts of things. I walked slowly, surveying my surroundings. The main products seemed to be swords, ranging from broad, massive greatswords to small, sharp daggers. Occasionally, a brightly designed bow hanging on the wall would catch my eye. A bow—in this world without gunpowder weapons like guns, a bow might actually be a pretty decent weapon.
"What brings you here?"
"Good heavens, what a guest out of place in a blacksmith's shop." A woman approached, chuckling. Her well-defined, muscular forearms caught my eye. "Wow, that's cool," I thought to myself, smiling back.
I came to see you because I’d like to entrust you with a few tasks.
"Ah, a request. What do you want?"
"Um, if you don't mind, could we talk privately?"
I glanced at Sir Evan, who was standing behind me. The blacksmith turned his head, following my gaze, and smirked as if he understood. Soon, letting out a hearty laugh, he threw off his thick gloves and gestured as he opened the small door attached to the shop.
"It is not proper to keep an honored guest standing around without entertaining them. Please come in."
Then, excuse me.
"My Lady, wait a moment...!"
"Kyung, wait here."
"Huh? But,"
"Hey! If you aren't a client, wait here! I cannot open my studio to just anyone!"
With the blacksmith's shouting as the last sound, I let out a sigh of relief as I watched the door close before Sir Evan's eyes. It really makes me feel like a mean master tormenting a knight. As the blacksmith invited me to sit on the sofa in what appeared to be a lounge, I slowly settled down. Soon, the blacksmith brewed tea in warm water with quite practiced skill and placed a teacup in front of me. I carefully took a sip of the tea.
"So, what are you planning to make? A sword? Or a bow? Is it a gift for your lover?"
"Hmph, cough,"
Gulp, I spat out the tea and coughed incessantly. I saw the blacksmith look quite flustered. "Oh dear, are you alright?" he asked, handing me a handkerchief. I accepted it without hesitation, covered my mouth with it, and let out a few small coughs. No, but more importantly, what? A lover? Surely he isn't talking about Sir Evan? As my coughing subsided and I looked at the blacksmith filled with bewilderment, the woman answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Wasn't the escort outside your lover?"
"That, that can't be..."
"Oh, sorry for the inconvenience. I thought you were secretly slipping a gift to your lover."
I shook my head as I watched the blacksmith sit on the sofa, letting out a hearty laugh. A princess and a knight’s bodyguard—at first glance, there couldn’t be a more romantic relationship. Indeed, there are at least a couple of romance novels in modern times featuring them as characters. It briefly occurred to me that Sir Evan and I might look just like the protagonists of one of those novels right now. Of course, the problem, if there is one, is that the genre of my life has become fantasy action rather than romance.
"Then, is the item to be commissioned… for you to use, Miss?"
You could say that, but….
"Aha, then what about daggers? Or there are longswords made by mixing titanium, though."
No, that's not what I want.
A look of bewilderment lingered on the blacksmith's face. "Then, what do you wish to commission?" he asked. I grinned and asked.
Do you happen to have any thoughts of making something other than a sword or a bow?
According to what I read in books, blacksmiths in the North value honor. Not social honor or anything like that, but honor as a blacksmith. At the same time, there is a desire for their own work to be superior to that of others. So, what if I were to provide them with a blueprint for a weapon that, while unfamiliar to them, would boast top-tier performance if crafted? The honor derived from that success would be mine to offer, and since they are highly competitive and would not easily share it with others, wouldn't keeping the secret also be easy? That is why I sought out this forge, located in the most secluded part of the blacksmiths' alley. I was looking for a blacksmith who, precisely because of its remote location, would be thirstier for honor than anyone else. To the woman looking at me with eyes shining with curiosity, I took out a few sheets of paper I had carefully tucked away in my bosom.
"I was thinking of making something like this."
/
The Princess has changed.
Evan thought. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed, but it was something he felt every time he saw the Princess, whose behavior was quite different from before. No, to be honest, had the Young Duke not given him a heads-up, it was highly likely he wouldn't have cared at all whether the Princess had changed, or what she was like in the past compared to now. After all, he was a knight serving the Young Duke, not the Princess. Nevertheless, Evan could easily notice the change in the Princess's demeanor. In other words, it meant that the Princess had changed enough that anyone who paid even the slightest bit of attention to her would notice. Staring blankly at the door that had closed before his eyes, Evan recalled the conversation he had had with his master, Jin.
"Evan, keep a close eye on Leah. Never leave her alone."
"Yes, yes? What do you mean by surveillance…."
"…Lia has changed."
I don't know? What had he answered to the Young Duke's question? He groaned, trying to recall a few changes in the Princess, but in the end, he seemed to have simply replied that he didn't know. Evan lingered around the shabby blacksmith's shop, biting his lip. What kind of person was the original Princess? Bright, kind, and...
At the sound of the door opening with a click, Evan involuntarily gritted his teeth and stared at it. Yulia was coming out, talking to the blacksmith with a satisfied smile.
I know you're busy, but I'd like you to make it as soon as possible.
Of course, it won't take long. The design is already perfect…
"Anyway, I'm counting on you. Make sure I keep the contract safe. Sir Evan."
"Yes, Princess."
Let's head back now. And…
"yes?"
"…It’s nothing."
At Yulia's words, "Let's go," the blacksmith bid her farewell, wishing her a safe journey. Yulia, displaying a faint smile with the corners of her mouth barely lifting, opened the blacksmith's door and stepped out. A rough bell rang out. Although he could not be certain he knew the original Princess well, Evan finally realized one thing.
"Kyung, aren't you coming?"
The look in her eyes was different, and the countless emotions contained within them were different. She was a princess with eyes that seemed to hold only the bright side of this world, but what is the look in the eyes of the princess standing before me now?
"…Sir Evan?"
Evan only started walking after letting out a dazed "Huh?" at Yulia's call. Wiping his palms, damp with tension, on his clothes, Evan thought.
That the Princess has changed.
/
Sir Evan is strange.
For a while now, he had been staring at me with a dazed expression, as if a screw had come loose somewhere; his clear, crisp voice had vanished, replaced by nothing but blank-faced "Eh? Yes?" sounds. Was he very tired? He didn't look tired or weary at all, so I couldn't help but feel puzzled. In any case, since the contract at the blacksmith that I had aimed for today had been successfully concluded, I decided to return to the inn where Jin was without delay. Of course, I didn't forget to buy a few new robes on the way back.
Dragging my weary body back, I lay straight down on the bed. Just like during the chase in the alley the other day, seeing how easily she got tired after walking a little longer through the northern streets today, it seemed Yulia had lived a life far removed from exercise. Otherwise, her legs wouldn't swell up just from walking a little. Even as I was lost in these silly thoughts, a broad smile spread across my face as I pulled out a piece of paper I had carefully kept in my bosom. Rosia—the blacksmith's name from earlier—was written in elegant cursive.
The contract is a success!
As soon as Rosia saw the gun design I had stayed up all night drawing, he declared that he would sign the contract immediately. He cheered so loudly, saying he had never seen such a perfect design, that my face flushed so hot I could barely regain my composure. In any case, the contract with him was undoubtedly more than satisfactory. So then, now,
There is only one problem left… ."
I let out a deep sigh. In truth, this was the biggest problem. As for the hidden quest, well, there was no time limit, so I had the lighthearted thought that I would naturally remember it when the time came, but this was a problem that should not be taken lightly.
[Sub-quest: Helper]
Special Quest
For those of you who haven't finished the tutorial
Introducing a special 'helper'.
I entered the Merlin Academy
including 'Main Quest'
In order to engage in various activities
This system needs to adapt.
Find the person in question,
Receive cooperation as an assistant.
Success reward: 1 helper
People
name : ???
age : ???
job : ???
The quest in question is
It will continue until the quest is completed.
*hintUsage limit: 2 times
"You crazy game..." I muttered, clutching my throbbing head.
✨