Chapter 7

Chapter 3. Noa Darshen

1.

Noa, the disciple of the sorceress Ajuheuh.

In truth, she had a secret.

A secret she had never told anyone, and one she would never be able to tell. The fact that she was not originally from this world.

‘Yoomina. 18 years old. High school student.’

This was Noa’s true identity.

She, who had been an ordinary high school student in South Korea, had come to live as a girl named Noa because of a game she used to enjoy.

<Chronicles of the Arsen Continent>

A classic game with a high degree of freedom, featuring dozens of main characters.

Players had to choose one of them, nurture them, and then stop the Lord of the Abyss and the monsters invading the continent.

And this was the game Yoomina had played for over three years.

‘So, I was just trying to log into the game as usual…’

When she came to her senses, she was in the world of the game.

At first, it was absurd, but now she had adapted quite well. After all, it had been about eight years since she first opened her eyes in the game world.

Thus, Yoomina had possessed one of the main characters, ‘Noa Darshen.’

━━━

[Name]: Noa Darshen

[Age]: 16 years old

[Rank]: A+

[Trait]: Blessing of Mana

━━━

The character information that appeared when she blinked her right eye three times. Noa’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Noa Darshen’s status window.

‘Not a bad character.’

Noa was one blessed with the ‘Blessing of Mana.’

This meant she had an immense talent for sorcery and magic. It was a rare trait, with only two characters in the entire game, including both main and named characters, possessing it.

‘But her stamina is trash, and the early-game difficulty is hellish, so her rank is only A+.’

Noa’s story was truly tragic.

She was a character who wandered the continent as a slave, accidentally learned magic, and only realized her talent late, making a name for herself.

‘But this time, I couldn’t let that happen.’

No, she didn’t want to.

The reason was simple.

She didn’t want to live as a slave.

So, using the game knowledge she had accumulated, she deviated from the character’s story. And she orchestrated a seemingly coincidental meeting with a named character who held some significance in the main scenario.

‘The Great Sorcerer Ajuheuh.’

Noa became her disciple, escaping the fate of becoming a slave. After enduring for eight long years, she even learned powerful sorcery.

Yes, everything had gone according to plan so far.

But this, she hadn’t expected.

‘But why…’

Is this guy next to me?

Noa bit her lip and glanced to the side.

Messily tied auburn hair.

Fiery red eyes with a stubborn gaze. A young man walking around with his muscular upper body exposed even in the middle of winter.

The Hero of the Prairie, Ulan.

Noa glanced at him and blinked her left eye three times. Immediately, Ulan’s information unfolded before her eyes.

━━━

[Name]: Ulan Bator

[Age]: 16 years old

[Rank]: SS+

[Trait]: Protection of the War God

━━━

Ulan, a barbarian warrior character named after Mongolia’s capital, ‘Ulan Bator.’ He possessed combat prowess that could be called the pinnacle among warrior characters.

Moreover, he was one of the famous named characters in <Chronicles of the Arsen Continent>, and the reason was as follows.

‘Ulan is the only named character among the seven heroes whose play is restricted.’

While the other heroes could all be played as main characters, only Ulan was restricted from player control.

The reason was related to the role he played in the main scenario.

It was one of the common clichés—Ulan was a named character who met his end in place of his comrades in danger.

Thus, Ulan’s character could be summarized in one sentence.

‘A strong, brave, and unyielding warrior character with a simple mind.’

The key point here was ‘simple-minded.’

Ulan was the epitome of a muscle-brained warrior, with even his brain filled with muscles. Thus, he was far from studying, magic, or learning.

‘But suddenly…’

Why did he become Ajuheuh’s disciple?

Why is he enrolling in the academy?

Is this a hidden branching point? Or a butterfly effect from deviating from the character’s story?

Noa was thrown into confusion.

But there was one more thing that troubled her.

‘Arsen Academy.’

The academy was an educational institution, a school.

And Noa—Yoomina—had no good memories of school. On the contrary, her memories were filled with nightmares.

The reason she had refused to go to school and immersed herself in games after becoming a high school student was because of the bad experiences she had at school.

‘…Should I just run away?’

Noa’s expression darkened.

She really wanted to run away.

But she couldn’t.

The Arsen Academy was an opportunity.

An opportunity for her to grow stronger as a sorceress.

‘To survive, I must become stronger.’

To do that, she had no choice but to go to the academy and build her skills as a mage. To survive in this game world no matter what!

Noa’s eyes flashed with resolve.

2.

Meanwhile, around that time.

Ulan, who had been walking silently, glanced at the girl walking beside him.

‘Noa Darshen.’

Hair as black as the night sky.

Eyes as clear as a lake and a petite body like a rabbit. Ulan, who had briefly scanned Noa’s appearance, narrowed his eyes.

‘I should start talking to this girl.’

Since leaving the prairie.

He hadn’t had any conversation with Noa.

There was nothing particular to say. But he couldn’t remain silent forever, so Ulan decided to speak first.

“Your name is Noa, right?”

“Huh? Ah, yes!”

Perhaps because he suddenly spoke.

Noa was startled and answered.

Her shoulders hunched, and her slightly trembling voice betrayed her nervousness. Ulan, unfazed, continued.

“To be honest, I don’t know you.”

Neither the name Noa.

Nor the fact that she was Ajuheuh’s disciple.

He had only learned of them today.

So, he spoke with the intention of introducing himself. But her reaction was strange.

“Th-that! I, um, well…!”

A look of sudden panic.

Why is she like this? Was what I just said something to panic about? Ulan tilted his head in confusion.

“So, introduce yourself.”

“…Introduce myself?”

“Yes. We’ll be together until we reach the Arsen Academy, whether we like it or not.”

After a moment of silence.

Noa let out a sigh of relief.

After barely calming her mind, Noa placed a hand on her chest and spoke.

“I’m Noa. Noa Darshen. Eight years ago, I was taken in by my master and became her disciple.”

It was a story he had already heard from Alke.

But there was a part he hadn’t heard.

“What did you do before that?”

“I don’t know. I don’t remember.”

An awkward smile appeared on her lips.

It seemed like she was hiding something. But he didn’t press further. Everyone has one or two things they can’t talk about.

Ulan was the same.

“But the past doesn’t matter. I probably just rolled around in the forest, picking fruits and mushrooms.”

With a nonchalant reply.

Noa brought up more about her past.

From how she had lived the past eight years to what she had learned as Ajuheuh’s disciple.

After listening for a while.

Ulan suddenly realized. Why he had never heard of Noa’s name. Why her existence wasn’t in his memory.

“I see. I understand.”

“Huh? What?”

“You’re not from the prairie tribe.”

Ulan’s gaze calmed.

Noa said she had lived in Ajuheuh’s cabin for the past eight years. She had only visited the village a handful of times.

‘So of course, I wouldn’t know.’

In his past life, Ulan had never visited Ajuheuh’s cabin. Moreover, Noa looked different from the other tribe members.

Her appearance was more like that of an outsider than a prairie tribe member. Meanwhile, Noa nodded in agreement with Ulan’s words.

“That’s right. My master often said similar things. That I’m not from the prairie, but from outside.”

Noa smiled awkwardly.

It was a somewhat lonely smile.

“But since I became my master’s disciple, and as long as I live receiving the prairie’s grace, she said I’m also a member of the prairie tribe!”

But that was short-lived.

As if she hadn’t just made a lonely expression, she answered in a cheerful tone. If Ajuheuh said so, then it must be true. As he silently nodded.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“Not really.”

“Then my introduction ends here.”

Noa smiled brightly.

As if it was Ulan’s turn next.

Ulan, having some sense, began his introduction as Noa had done.

“I am Ulan Bator. A warrior of the prairie tribe, and I passed the Trial of the Hero half a year ago.”

After finishing his introduction, Ulan closed his mouth.

Silence returned.

After a moment, Noa cautiously asked.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

What more is needed?

Ulan looked at her with confident eyes.

Meanwhile, Noa had an awkward expression.

“Um, can I ask a few questions?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you. I heard you received teachings from my master for half a year. I’m curious about what you learned.”

“Basic common sense and academics.”

Over the past half year.

Ulan listed what he had learned.

Especially when he mentioned being able to do double-digit addition and subtraction without using his fingers, there was a strong sense of pride.

On the other hand, Noa had a微妙 expression.

‘He’s just as simple-minded as in the game…’

I thought maybe the ‘simple-minded’ setting was gone, but it seems not. Then why is he studying? I don’t get it.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no! It’s nothing.”

Noa was startled and waved her hands.

After snapping out of her thoughts. She let out a short cough and asked her second question.

“Ahem! Next, have you ever been outside the prairie? Like visiting a village, not for hunting or trials.”

Of course, he had.

But this was only in his past life.

The sixteen-year-old Ulan had never left the prairie. So, hesitating on how to answer, he eventually shook his head.

“No.”

“Phew, I thought so.”

As if she had expected it, she sighed.

Then Noa spoke in a serious tone.

“Then, can you promise me a few things?”

“Promise?”

“Yes, outside is different from the prairie. There are clear laws and rules. So, the distinction between what to do and what not to do is clear.”

Noa held up three fingers.

The three things she wanted to say could be summarized as follows.

First. Do not use violence recklessly.

Second. If you must use violence, ask Noa first. If Noa isn’t there, think carefully before deciding.

Third. Do not steal others’ belongings.

“There are many other precautions, but for now, just promise me these three. Then you should avoid most troubles.”

Ulan nodded at Noa’s request.

He already knew these things.

“Are you familiar with the world outside the prairie?”

“Not exactly familiar. But I’ve traveled around with my master a few times, so I know the basics.”

There was a hint of pride in her voice.

Then she returned to the main point.

“So, can you promise?”

“Alright. I promise.”

“On the name of a warrior?”

“Yes, I swear on my honor.”

Name, honor, oath.

At these words, Noa finally looked relieved. She let out a short sigh of relief and smiled.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Hero Ulan.”

“Just Ulan.”

“Huh?”

“Just call me Ulan. Since you’re my fellow disciple, I’ll allow you to call me by name.”

Noa’s eyes widened.

As if she hadn’t expected such words.

After a moment of blinking in surprise, she smiled softly.

“Okay, got it. Ulan. Then you can call me Noa too.”

“Alright, Noa.”

Finally, the introductions were over.

The atmosphere brightened as well.

Noa, with a more relaxed expression, pointed ahead.

“Well, let’s hurry. In about an hour, a blizzard will hit.”

“Huh? How do you know?”

“By the smell. When the scent of ice magic thickens, it usually means snow is coming.”

She sniffed with her small nose.

Could she really tell when snow would fall just by that? Ulan looked at her curiously, and Noa smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway, it’s best to find a cave before the snow hits. The best would be to spend the night in the village, but…”

Noa trailed off.

With a slightly troubled expression.

“Is there a problem?”

“It would take over half a day to reach the village even if we hurry. The path is rough.”

Noa pointed to the village below the cliff.

Ulan looked in the direction of the village. Then he asked dryly.

“We just need to arrive within an hour, right?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

“…Huh?”

As she asked in confusion, Ulan grabbed Noa’s arm and pulled her. Dragged by his immense strength, Noa asked with a bewildered expression.

“Wh-what are you planning to do?”

“This height should be enough.”

Enough for what?

Then a foreboding thought crossed her mind. Noa made a ‘surely not’ expression.

“Ah, surely not. You’re not thinking of jumping off the cliff, are you?”

Noa answered honestly.

Ulan chuckled.

“As expected, a sorceress is a sorceress.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“You can read my mind perfectly.”

“…!?”

Noa’s face turned pale.

And at that moment, Ulan’s muscular arm wrapped around Noa’s slender waist. A strength so powerful it took her breath away.

Ulan whispered nonchalantly.

“Hold on tight if you don’t want to fall.”

“Wait, hold on! Hey! Aaaah!”

With the feeling of her body floating.

Noa’s scream echoed loudly.

Chapter 3. Noa Darshen

---