Depraved Veracity

Chris continued to delve into the various functions I was already familiar with. His steady voice filled the room yet drifted in my ears as my mind wandered elsewhere. Wasting time wouldn't be good, would it? So, I was just figuring out all sorts of things in my head. Just as when waiting for a bus to arrive, I would read something on my Helios rather than let time pass unnecessarily.

But, indeed, this interlocutor of mine shouldn't be underestimated. He suddenly asked, "Do you understand what is in the Daily or Weekly in Vaughan?"

'This isn't good.'

If I didn't reply, he would realize I hadn't been listening from the start. Hence, I said, "Daily is a task that can be done every day, so it is advisable to finish it before tomorrow. By contrast, Weekly has a weekend deadline. Though, it is up to us whether we want to do it or not."

Hearing my explanation, Chris laughed. Although his laughter wasn't as intense as Daniel's, I could feel it was genuine, not as artificial as his usual fake smile. Possibly, this was because my answer sounded general.

"Let's delve deeper into your journey here in Vaughan."

Oh?

From his response—a brief pause in his talk, eyes narrowing slightly, a laugh, and then changing the subject—it was clear Chris recognized I hadn't been listening to him.

And he didn't seem to mind? Maybe the system required him to keep explaining to the player even if he didn't want to? But that reaction was what surprised me. Like he knew my behavior. He was okay with it. While the question was just a medium to get me to refocus on him as he wanted to discuss something important.

What I tried to say was this NPC used "social navigation."

Social navigation in this context referred to his ability to navigate social interactions in a way that considered human attention, engagement, and responses. I couldn't help but ask myself: why did Noir, a far higher-ranking NPC than him, not act this way?

That was weird. Noir, unlike Chris and Daniel, seemed detached. Was she designed that way (as her personality)? Could Noir have social navigation but chose not to use it? That could be her way of asserting control: watching and assessing but withholding the kind of engagement that Chris demonstrated so effortlessly. She was the "leader," anyway, and it was understandable that some were cold to the point of being expressionless.

I became quite curious. I started listening to Chris as he said, "To truly integrate into our community, it is crucial to align with one of our Departments: Gear, Dragonic, Consultation, or Execution. Each path you choose affects the missions you will receive. It would be better to research each before deciding on any. You can come to me again after that."

Then, a pop-up window appeared in front of me.

 

 

Hmm. Knowing that such information was readily available through reading and considering Chris's advice to research, I felt no need for a verbal explanation. I reached out to select [No] on the virtual display, and the window disappeared.

Chris nodded, seeming to respect my choice to explore autonomously. "Very well. If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out."

Ding!

 

The screen in front of me, however, displayed red text rather than the regular Quest list description.

 

 

Ah, yes, the usual balancing system—an effort to prevent players from rushing everything immediately, especially the [Main Story]. It was also an attempt to encourage players to explore and check out other available features rather than constantly focusing on one thing.

Putting that aside, something bothered me.

"...You hid one, huh?"

You know, like I said, I got curious. Other than the four mentioned, what about the one led by Noir? I remember that she was the leader of the Discipline Department, which Chris didn't say. I also recall how the system prevented me from being her friend. If I got the chance to meet her—and that was by being in the same Department—I could dig deeper into how to get close to the leaders.

But as Chris heard my question, his eyes sharpened, and a smirk appeared on his lips. This expression of his, to say the least, felt quite gripping. "Hm? Can something like you be a system?"

He understood what I meant but chose to be ambiguous. Ah, typical AI.

So be it; I would interpret it myself.

From a broader perspective, this question served as a meta-commentary on the nature of gaming itself. It suggested that players while believing in their autonomy to make choices within the game, were ultimately still following a set of predefined systems and rules. Thus, it questioned the illusion of freedom.

Or he meant that the Discipline Department was specialized only for NPCs, acting as the security personnel for this game. That was why they were categorized as a system.

Still, I would reply to his words.

"Can't."

And Chris responded with only a slight smile.

With his silence, I realized that our conversation had ended. So I gave him a brief nod and left his room.

While on my way out of the building, specifically in the elevator (thankfully less packed), I moved my hand forward to access the main menu. In [Quest Log], the array of available Quests sprawled before me was extensive. Yet, amidst the standard, one shone with a golden hue—discussing [Hobbies]. Its unique coloration indicated a [Special Quest], likely unlocking the game's casual features that I have ignored thus far.

Despite the allure of this varied list, my sights were set on one.

 

 

Indeed, I planned to stick with Quests that had the potential to provide good clues—perhaps something related to the NPC (like befriending them) so I could understand what was happening in the game from the perspective of its inhabitants or something close to how the system worked, like exploring their lore.

But looking at this list... nothing stood out; everything was too generic.

I had no choice but to choose this relatively straightforward one. And efficiency always wins everything, right? I quickly pressed [Accept].

Ding!

 

With my objectives clear, I made my way to the Dragonic Department's Research Lab as soon as I exited the building. I quickly opened the [Map] and prepared my Mount. From the screen before me alone, I could see that the long-distance indicated a detour.

Once I started my ride with the hoverboard, the gothic-styled academy gave the impression of well-preserved ancient structures, even though it had been mixed with technology. Like in a garden I passed through, there was a holographic four-legged dragon with giant wings spanning its gushing waters, which occasionally appeared to roar silently. And the longer I go around like this, the more I might memorize—Oh...

'Why didn't I memorize it instead of constantly opening the [Map]?'

Even though the [Map] display was less detailed than when passing the road directly, at least I would know its general route. Vaughan was huge, like a small city in itself. But just looking at the layout was enough for me to memorize it. Besides making things easier in the future, this could distract from the busy surroundings packed with activities. Players haggled with vendors. Some sat and gathered on park benches. Chatter. Footsteps. The distant drone of other Mounts filled the air.

Amidst this cacophony, I found myself busy examining the [Map]. Despite my focus, the sounds around me managed to break through, slightly disrupting my inspection of Vaughan's layout.

 

 

The flashing rectangular screen that appeared for three seconds above my line of vision caused me to completely lose concentration. So, I switched the mode of the [Map] I was using to view Vaughan's overall layout, directing it to point at the active Quest.

The screen indicated I should turn left, so I followed its guidance and saw a boxy white marble building in the distance. That building stood out for its simplicity and expansive width, contrasting with the other multi-story structures in the area. It gave the impression that it was much larger than it looked from a distance.

'This must be Research Lab.'

I dismounted from the hoverboard, returned it to Heart Core mode, and stored it in [Inventory] before approaching the building.

Linear pathways led me around the well-kept gardens, suggesting that the research conducted here was extensive. The whole botanical section itself looked fascinating with its specimens, but through the glass walls, there was a hint of rows of machinery emitting a soft glow; observation rooms filled with holographic display globes showing star systems and researchers intently studying their analyses. I even caught sight of cylindrical tanks filled with cloudy liquid containing floating organic shapes—no doubt part of some genetic experiments.

But what truly caught my eye was the botanical research section. Unlike the ornamental greenery scattered throughout Vaughan, these plants were different—vibrant and experimental. One had leaves with a metallic sheen that folded and unfolded as if breathing. A nearby bush was heavy with small, orb-shaped fruits covered in crystal-like shells that flashed in the sun.

Though interested, I kept my eyes on the clock; there was still a time-limit Quest to be completed.

 

 

When I entered, the Quest instruction didn't directly point to which room Cecil was in; instead, it directed me to the reception desk in the lobby. My assumption that this was a straightforward [Side Quest] instantly vanished... Urgh. Why did this game keep forcing me to adjust my approach?

With a long sigh, I walked towards the reception desk, where an NPC assistant in a typical lab coat greeted me with a nod. "Welcome to our lab. How may I assist you today?"

"I am here to see Cecil." Even though I was annoyed, I spontaneously went back into professional mode. "I have a Quest to assist with her research."

The NPC assistant tapped on the holographic display. "Ah, yes, Cecil is currently in Lab 3B. Please follow the signs to the lab. Would you need guidance?"

"No. Thank you." I bowed my head out of politeness and excused myself, then began navigating the long hallways.

I moved, my footsteps lost among the background murmurs of passing people: researchers in white coats, assistants hurrying with datapads, and the occasional security officer monitoring the hall. The building was huge, with high ceilings supported by crossbeams. The deeper I walked, the more the facility's scale became apparent: row after row of rooms branching into specialized sections.

After a while, I began to see a marker. The letter [B] on the wall indicated that I was on the right track. I continued down this corridor, which felt even more specialized, with a floor that reflected subtle lighting strips embedded along the walls' bases.

'Now looking for room three... 1B... 2B... Ah, here.'

I tried to open the sliding door—

"Ah!"

—but the door was opened first by a girl who looked like she was in a hurry! Whoa! That sound of surprise startled me!

Thankfully, her reflexes were pretty good; she stepped back with a jolt, avoiding the cliche scene of "colliding with the opposite sex." She also seemed to ignore my presence? One glance, and she was off running down the hallway behind me. A brief view of her expression suggests she was worried...? Not sure. From the number of accessories like pins and hair ribbons she wore, she must be a player.