Chapter 44: The Reason for Using Honorifics

As I exchanged light greetings with my fellow participants, the time for the trial run quickly approached.

Each manager distributed the necessary equipment and ensured everything was set up properly.

It was moments like these that made me truly appreciate the presence of managers.

With Tsupi’s help, I put on my gear and tested my movements.

It felt slightly unfamiliar compared to the equipment I used at home, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“If you experience any difficulties moving, please let us know!”

A manager’s voice rang out, and the participants nodded, but no one raised any complaints.

Just as everything was finally coming together—

“You’re going to be surprised when you get inside.”

Tsupi double-checked my gear and smirked.

I raised an eyebrow and asked, “That much? How long does it take to get through four chapters?”

“Well, each chapter is divided into multiple stages, so it depends on the person.”

“…How many stages are there per chapter?”

“Chapters 1 and 2 don’t have too many. Chapter 1 has 11 stages. Chapter 2 has 24.”

“……”

Will I even be able to go home today?

Of course, I wasn’t planning to go through all four chapters. But at the very least, I should see Chapter 1, right?

‘11 stages… If each takes around three minutes, that’s roughly 30 minutes. Guess I’ll have to check once I’m inside.’

“Don’t worry. We won’t go for too long.”

“That’s good news.”

Seeing my uneasy expression, Tsupi chuckled.

With all preparations complete, the eight of us launched Märchen of the Hero.

Let’s see just how much has changed.

Märchen of the Hero.

The small world I first entered during my collab with Tsupi.

Back then, I remember it only having a village, monsters, and a level system.

It was hardly what you’d call a game.

But now—

“Wow, this really feels like another world.”

The quality had significantly improved.

The village had grown much larger, and I noticed new portal-like structures at its outskirts.

They resembled the ones I’d seen in Menol, so they shouldn’t be too hard to use.

“But where is everyone?”

I was inside my room—the Hero Yuwol’s room.

Last time, this was also the starting point.

But the other participants were nowhere in sight. I thought this was an open-world game?

Could there already be a bug?

[(Global) Tsupi: You need to finish the tutorial before you can see other players.]

Of course.

I glanced at the chat window in the corner, where Tsupi had sent a message to everyone.

So we’re all in the same place—inside Yuwol’s room.

Finishing the tutorial must unlock visibility for other players.

‘Wow… It’s really become a proper game.’

The world I had originally built as a rough concept had evolved into something incredible.

I should get moving.

Since it’s a tutorial, there’s probably an introductory quest.

[(Global) Tsupi: You can check the tutorial in the quest window ^^]

There’s a quest window now?

I followed Tsupi’s message and quickly located the quest window.

The interface really was much cleaner than before—everything was clearly laid out.

[(Mandatory) Tutorial 1: Leave your house and head to the village hall to speak with the village chief!]

• Objective: Talk to Chief Cedric.
• Reward: EXP 10

The village hall.

From what I remembered, it was located at the village’s outskirts.

Even though the village had expanded, it wasn’t the size of a city or anything.

After glancing through my window at the lively town, I stepped outside.

The familiar village scenery.

A peaceful, idyllic town.

The sight naturally brought a smile to my face. I’d love to live in a countryside place like this.

Feeling a warm sense of nostalgia, I took my time walking.

The village hall wasn’t far.

Even the mini-map in the upper corner showed it as a short distance away.

But I wasn’t in a hurry. I wanted to take in the atmosphere.

Unlike before, where most buildings were just props, now they had fully designed interiors.

Even the NPCs (not the developers, but actual game characters) moved like real people.

They greeted me with smiles, and I gave them slight nods in return.

‘It’s impressive that the server is handling this so well…’

I didn’t know much about Märchen’s technical capabilities, but one thing was clear—it was insanely well-developed.

As I marveled at my surroundings, a small child caught my eye.

He stood in the street, crying.

I instinctively changed my course.

[Side Quest: The Crying Child]

• Objective: Help the crying child in the street.
• Reward: EXP 5, 5 Gold.

As I approached the child, a new quest appeared. It was categorized as a side quest beneath the main quest.

‘So there are quest categories now, huh?’

But that wasn’t the important thing right now.

I knelt down to meet the child’s gaze and asked softly,

“What’s wrong?”

At my question, the child momentarily stopped crying. Large, pretty brown eyes looked up at me.

“P-please help me…!”

I nodded in response.

“I was playing with Chichi, but she suddenly disappeared… And now I can’t find her anywhere…!”

It would be really helpful if they told me who or what Chichi was first.

[NEW QUEST UPDATED]

• Objective: Help the crying child find their lost cat. It must be somewhere in the village. Search within the marked area on the map to locate Chichi!
• Hint: Chichi is a ginger cat. She enjoys climbing onto rooftops. Checking the roofs of houses in the designated area might be a good idea.

A cat, huh? That makes sense. The name didn’t exactly sound like a person’s.

I reassured the crying child before straightening up and checking the mini-map for the highlighted search area.

There were three rooftops I needed to check. One of them had to be where Chichi was hiding.

This wasn’t going to be too difficult.

‘Side quests are fun.’

This kind of peaceful quest was exactly the kind of game I wanted.

To get onto the rooftops, I needed something to climb on.

Since I had just started, I didn’t have any skills or stats to help me.

Which meant I had to do it manually.

‘Hmm… Can I step on the fence?’

I spotted a fence nearby, roughly chest-high. Testing my luck, I stepped onto it.

Thankfully, the NPCs around me didn’t seem to care about my actions.

Only the crying child watched me with curious eyes.

“Hup.”

Somehow, I managed to climb onto the first roof. Please let it be here on the first try.

“Ah.”

Miss.

Resigned, I climbed back down, only to see the child’s face fall with disappointment.

“I’ll find her soon.”

“Okay… But why are you speaking so formally to me?”

“…Hmm.”

…Wait. Do AI usually ask things like this?

I hesitated for a moment.

I tend to use polite speech with everyone, regardless of age—except for my family.

It was a habit formed long ago when I was still in elementary school.

Back then, I was at the library holding onto a book someone was looking for.

As I was about to return it, I handed it over to them instead. They responded with a simple, “Thank you.”

It wasn’t anything special, but for some reason, it piqued my curiosity that day.

“Why are you speaking so formally to me?” I had asked.

And their response left a lasting impression.

‘Why would I need a reason? Even if you’re young, you’re still someone I just met. Using polite speech is only natural.’

“Why would I need a reason? Even if you’re young, you’re still someone I just met. Using polite speech is only natural.”

I still remember that moment clearly, though I don’t know why.

People tend to hold onto fleeting moments for a lifetime sometimes.

That was one of those moments for me—the day that changed how I spoke.

The child nodded thoughtfully at my explanation.

“…Thank you.”

“You can thank me later. Let’s find Chichi first.”

A small smile formed on the child’s face.

Found her. Chichi, you little rascal.

I must have had terrible luck because I didn’t find her until the third rooftop.

The ginger cat was completely oblivious to my presence, curled up and fast asleep.

I felt a little annoyed, but she was too cute to stay mad at.

Scooping up Chichi, I climbed back down.

“Chichi!”

The child, who had been waiting below, ran toward me.

Their face lit up with pure joy at the sight of the cat.

This must be why people do volunteer work. Even I felt happy just seeing that reaction.

<CLEAR!>
[Side Quest: The Crying Child]

• Objective: Help the crying child in the street.
• Reward: EXP 5, 5 Gold.

I received experience points and money as a reward.

It wasn’t much, but every little bit counts. If I keep collecting, I’ll be rich one day.

“Thank you so much, big sister!”

The child—now a happy child—beamed at me.

I smiled as I gently patted their head.

“Thank you for finding Chichi, big sister!”

“No need for thanks anymore.”

“You’re my hero, big sister!”

I paused for a moment before chuckling.

A hero, huh?

If even something small like this could make someone call me a hero, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Alright, time to look for more side quests.

I’ll drop by the tutorial along the way.