Can You Please Keep the Original Setting? - Chapter 1.1

A great writer once said that every creature in the world is like a writing or a text. Then, in this world, those words might be especially true.

This was a world that I created through writing, and that the developers materialized through code. And I was definitely trying to access it to test this game. I also remember exactly in which scene it ended.

The Labyrinth of Lamentation. Mikael, the main character, came to this place because he was entrusted by the temple to find the cursed sacred object.

It was a chapter that boasted a degree of difficulty that made me feel an upsetting rush. After testing it, I sent feedback that it would be better to lower the difficulty level of this chapter to prevent the players from digressing.

That was definitely where I ended the game. A place where you can gain great favor from the target.

Not all the details had been implemented yet, but the route was already set. Because the person I cherished the most after Mikael was the next emperor, Cain.

However. What the hell was going on?

[Welcome, Writer. You are welcome to access.]

Beyond the chat window with a text, a man was kneeling. The touch of his lips on the back of my hand felt terribly clear. The sky-blue eyes curved tenderly and gently.

“It’s the first time I’ve actually seen you like this, Celina.”

It was the sweetest voice in the world.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.”

It was a voice that should never sound like this. I felt my breathing become weak, regardless of my intentions. What? Did he just call me Celina?

“I am Mikael.”

This was absurd. I could only look down at the man who was telling me his name.

***

‘Nice to meet you. I am Celina Dell. Whether you call me Celina or Dell, it doesn’t matter. But just know one thing. I am the one who will help you with love from now on. I look forward to working together.’

Those were the first words that a woman from a high place would say to the player.

The words of a woman with rosy cheeks, entrancing, glowing blue-purple eyes, and an abundant and coveted lilac hair that curled like an illusion over her elegant body. A woman so beautiful that could make one go out of their mind.

‘The one who will wear the bloody laurel wreath, what is your name?’

If you entered the name of your choice after this bizarre question, the game would start in full swing according to her guidance. While also explaining things like the UI, stats, and skills.

Wasn’t this common in dating simulation games? An NPC who gives all kinds of information to the player. A nice and cool helper who is the object of great affection by the players. The character entrusted with that role was none other than Celina.

‘[Player Name], your choices will change the fate of the Empire. Which man’s hand will you hold? I’m curious.’

Sometimes it was also possible to have a relationship with this kind of NPC, but that was not possible in this game based on my novel. The reason was simple. Because I set it up so that the men would fall in love with each other.

However, she was so wise that she was the greatest and most important female character in my worldview. Not only did she appear a lot, but she also had quite a lot of contact with the main character, Mikael. A relationship good enough to enjoy tea together sometimes.

So, without further ado, I designated Celina as my helper. Of course, I cherished her as a character as much as I did Mikael.

She helped the ‘player’ become Mikael, who is a ‘top’, showed the status window while secretly giving a glimpse of the events for the targets’ specific routes, the ‘bottoms’, and was also in charge of closing and saving the game.

It meant that there was only one being who knew the real ‘inner side’ of this world. It could also be referred to as an ‘overseer’.

The beginning of the game was simple.

The scene where ‘Mikael’, an archmage’s apprentice who just came out to society after graduating with excellent grades and breaking the record of the most historic academy in the great empire of ‘Arcadia’, holds the hand of ‘Celina’, the archmage’s daughter, and gives a polite greeting.

This was the prologue stage in which the player entered their name. Of course, the player was entirely free to choose a different name instead of ‘Mikael’.

The protagonist had numerous fights. The story ended with victory and true love, but behind it, trials abounded.

I loved the people inside my worldview, but I hated them as much. It was a work that was created for fun, but ended with grief.

The sloppy writing that was its foundation was risky. Writing without knowing my capabilities, the panels urged me every second to give them something to prey on, eating away all my mental and physical strength.

I hated it. But I loved it that much. So no matter what, I had to see it to the end.