The Allure of Newbies

“I’ve given it some thought.”

The men, who were in the midst of getting dressed, stared at me with expressions that clearly asked, ‘What now?’ Their reactions felt almost too real, as if their faces conveyed every unspoken word.

“No matter how much I’ve considered it, I find it incredibly difficult to genuinely like you.”

Naturally. They were nothing but bothersome, bothersome, and utterly bothersome.

So, I decided to ponder it for a while. How could I possibly grow to like these individuals? What could possibly appeal to even a casual gamer such as myself?

“W-we may be weak, but… do you truly despise us to such an extent?”

“It’s more of a shift in perspective, I suppose. I’ve decided to view your weakness as something that makes you even better.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“When I began to consider you both as ‘newbies,’ everything suddenly fell into place.”

Newbie! What a sacred, hallowed name! From the deeply corrupted veterans to the ancient, “stagnant water” sprouts like myself, who wouldn’t be absolutely captivated by such a title? In that instant, something fervent surged within my chest.

“Newbies can be weak! I’ll simply shower them with help! Newbies can be ignorant! Of course, they’re newbies! Newbies can do anything, and it’s perfectly understandable! After all, isn’t it typical for players to do strange things when they first start a game like this?”

“W-wait just a moment! Why have you suddenly become so agitated and passionate? What exactly is this ‘newbie’ that you hold in such high regard?”

“Newbies are the hope and light of the world! Newbies are endearing simply for existing!”

If I conceptualize them as newbies, then even their ignorance of game terminology or lore becomes perfectly comprehensible. ‘They’re newbies, after all!’

Was this a chance to dote on newbies? To lavish attention upon innocent, clueless newcomers and nurture them completely?

Ah, my heart pounded merely at the thought! A chance to educate them, from beginning to end, entirely to my own specifications—wasn’t that almost too thrilling?

“T-that strikes me as a somewhat misguided notion…?”

Both of them recoiled in shock, but my eyes had already glazed over, making even their fear seem cute. True newbies are practically mythical creatures anyway! Almost all NPCs in this game are automatically balanced to my level, meaning they couldn’t possibly know less than me.

Yet, these guys know absolutely nothing. What’s more, they are fresh, low-level characters lacking any leveling, coupled with an oddly advanced level of artificial intelligence.

Had all the newbies died out, forcing me to designate virtual ones as a concept? Was that so wrong? This was an RPG, after all—a world where anything was possible!

“W-whatever this is, I don’t understand it! Just calm down, please!”

“H-Sir Haut! I don’t know what this ‘newbie’ entity is, but I assure you, we are not it!”

“Newbies are mythical creatures anyway! They don’t exist in reality!”

“What on earth are you talking about?! If that’s the case, then why are we being called newbies?!”

“Even if they’re virtual, as long as the experience is satisfying, it’s enough! If they don’t exist, then I’ll simply create non-existent newbies!”

“Captain! Please, restrain him! This man has lost his mind!”

With each step I took closer, both men waved their hands frantically, backing away. After a brief, anxious exchange of glances, Faust retreated slightly less, attempting to intercede.

“First, please compose yourself, and let us engage in a calm discussion….”

“Do you guys know more about demons than I do?”

“O-oh, no. We genuinely know next to nothing about demons. This is, in fact, our first encounter with them in person…. But even then…”

“Can you still access system terminology right now? Where exactly are we?”

[ Searching current coordinates. ]

In my haste, I blurted out system commands, but the sight before me remained their trembling faces.

“W-we don’t know. How could we possibly know something that even you, Sir Haut, are unaware of?”

“How much money do you guys have? Your entire fortune, I mean.”

“We’re unsure of your intentions, but as priests, we don’t possess a substantial amount of wealth. Perhaps around five gold…”

“And potions? How much have you refined your skills? What is your equipment grade?”

“What is your reason for inquiring about these matters?”

“Having encountered fresh newbies, it’s only natural that I assess their current status! Why, do you find my affection too modest?”

“Sir Haut? We’ve only just met, and you’re abruptly declaring your love…”

“I love anyone who’s a newbie! Your ignorance of that fact is precisely the proof!”

I seized both of their arms. This house was hardly spacious to begin with. Though the men, caught mid-retreat, flinched violently, there was no escaping my grip for the two fragile individuals.

“Now that I think about it, those clothes are certainly fitting for newbies, yet they strike me as far too humble for the support of an old sprout like myself. Let’s head to the city immediately. Even a village with a blacksmith would suffice. We’ll start by getting you equipped. And I’ll even carry you through dungeons. What level are you two currently?”

“Are you insane? Why are you acting like this?! What is a newbie? Explain yourself!”

“We don’t quite comprehend, but we’ll receive new equipment once we reach the temple. So…”

“How can you possibly grow while wearing such cheap gear? What is your level?”

“Level… what is that?”

“Oh, heavens…! A complete novice who doesn’t even comprehend what a ‘level’ is. Ah, I can barely breathe!”

It felt as though I, too, had attained the profound enlightenment of Master Wonhyo!

Indeed, they say life is what you make of it. Envisioning Jack and Faust as newbies filled me with such profound excitement and joy that my heart ached. This remarkably advanced artificial intelligence not only maintained my immersion flawlessly but also perfectly fulfilled my every desire!

“I once thought the person who claimed there were real people inside this game was an utter fool! You, it turns out, were a true sage!”

I recalled a time when someone on a broadcast once declared, ‘How can one abandon a game when there are people within it?’ Back then, I’d simply scoffed and dismissed it as utter nonsense. Little did I know I would one day come to grasp the profound truth of those very words!

“Let go of me and speak! H-hey? Where are you dragging me off to?!”

“Let’s find a blacksmith, quickly. No, perhaps we should just head straight for a major city? A place with a mage guild would be ideal, as we’ll need to enchant items, socket gems, and even perform ancient language crafting.”

“I don’t comprehend a single word! What do you intend to do with us?”

In response to their desperate cries, I offered a bright, disarming smile.

“I don’t ask for much. Just reach max level, and then we’ll clear demon nests together.”

I’ll diligently keep a growth diary and proudly showcase their progress!

Am I okay?

“What, pray tell, would be amiss?”

I am fully aware. These individuals were merely resurrected temporarily for a quest due to the respawn mod, destined to vanish once its progression concludes. I know their true core data resides within the temple, and that the newbies I’ve so excitedly nurtured will eventually disappear.

Nothing in this world lasts forever, after all. Only within a virtual realm, a game, does anything truly endure.

Even if genuine newbies from the real world existed, the jaded and corrupted players would swiftly snatch them up. Casual gamers like myself would never even get a chance.

Even if I were fortunate enough to assist a newbie, they would inevitably depart the game eventually. They wouldn’t remain dedicated to a single game for nearly nine or ten years, as I have.

Of course, I do play other games. Yet, I log into this one every single day. For the past nine years, without fail.

If someone is destined to depart regardless, isn’t it sufficient to simply savor the experience, even if they are merely NPCs?

“Sir Haut? Perhaps now you could favor us with an explanation?”

“Hmm? I’ve already explained plenty. I’m going to nurture you, and we’ll play together. We’ll clear demon nests, feast on crocodile meat in dungeons, and simply chat. I happen to know a plethora of scenic locations, you see? We’ll visit all of those as well.”

I was pulling the two men along, descending the mountain path without a clear destination. I had even allowed them to ride the Nightmare Steed while I walked, holding the reins. These individuals, you see, grew weary even after a short run.

“Uhm… that, well… we are priests of the temple. We cannot simply wander about so freely.”

“You’re the one who is truly ignorant. Hamman is the God of Justice, Proof, and Responsibility, isn’t he? Have you never considered why the prerequisite for being a priest is to be a warrior?”

At my words, Jack merely tilted his head, failing to grasp the meaning. Faust, however, seemed to have some gears turning in his mind, his expression growing peculiar.

Why do I know the lore so intimately? Have I only played this game for a day or two? After dedicating ten years to the same game, one inevitably learns its intricacies, whether they like it or not.

Hamman despises hypocrites who merely boast. That is precisely why he deliberately accepts warriors into his service. It isn’t simply a matter of physical strength; he believes one must know how to fight to protect—both responsibility and justice.

“Sir Haut, you said you weren’t a worshipper or a priest, didn’t you?”

“Indeed. I’m not. Hamman likely wouldn’t favor me, as I don’t seek to prove anything.”

The title ‘Hero of the Void’ is bestowed upon those who defeat a boss-level demon but leave no name behind. To remain nameless, to offer no proof, implies a refusal of responsibility. How could Hamman possibly approve of that?

Players in the game dislike this title as well. It offers no particular benefits, and far more impressive titles exist. Furthermore, wearing it often leads to being disregarded by NPCs.

In fact, all the other NPCs, save for Faust, only observed me from a distance and never spoke. Jack, with his fiery temperament, likely couldn’t resist interjecting.

“Do you truly believe Hamman would prevent you from hunting demons? No, he’d probably bestow a holy spirit upon you. If you and those two grow well enough to defeat a boss—no, a faction leader—and leave a name, he’d boast about it for generations and might even make you an apostle.”

Though, truth be told, Hamman is the sort to strike with a bolt from the clear sky if something displeases him, especially when it comes to his own.

“But I am the Captain of the Silver Knights. I cannot simply abandon my post.”

“Do you serve the temple, or do you serve Hamman?”

“That’s blasphemy! No matter who you are, you cannot speak so recklessly!”

Jack shrieked in terror, and Faust’s face turned deathly pale.

I’ve been a regular priest before. Not for Hamman, but for the Goddess of the Dawn Star’s temple. Completing related quests grants a beautiful sword, one of the most sought-after blades in the game.

There’s also a path to ascend from priest to apostle, becoming a divine proxy or even the Pope. Those who enjoy lore find the sermons entertaining, like old tales, and appreciate the freedom to read as many books as they wish. However, most players find it tedious, akin to living as a true monk.

“If Hamman commands it, do you truly believe mere mortals can stop it?”

“How am I to know if that is truly the will of a god?”

“Shall we make a wager? If you’re prevented from going, a lightning bolt will strike that very spot, I guarantee it.”

Hamman is endlessly merciful to his kin, but he is not one to tolerate disobedience. This isn’t just anything; it’s about capturing demons who seek to annihilate this world and transform it into a land of injustice. For the God of Justice to condone injustice—that would be an utter impossibility.

Faust, according to the lore, is a high-ranking priest. Why he’s so weak now, I don’t know, but I can understand it if it’s based on his initial data. While the condition for becoming a priest is to be a warrior, not all of them are strong. Only a key character like Faust would even have a chance at catching demons. Ultimately, the lore dictates that no one else can do it, so players end up doing all the demon hunting.

Yet, what if his own kin accomplish what no one else can? Would the God of ‘Proof,’ who loves to boast more than anyone, simply overlook it? That’s utterly absurd. I’m sure he would brag about it endlessly, until the nine stars of the Holy Regalia turned pitch black.

“Sir Haut.”

“Yes?”

“Uhm, even if you’re not a worshipper, you shouldn’t utter a god’s name so carelessly. We might overlook it, but if others heard you, you could be arrested for blasphemy.”

“Who would arrest me?”

Why would they?