Chapter 28: Disguise NPC Part 2: Elsa Sterwen

Now inside the arena, the group moved through one of the hallways leading toward the main guild hall. The air was filled with a mix of tension and anticipation as they prepared for their upcoming duel.

As they walked, a middle-aged man in a well-fitted suit approached them, his expression calm yet authoritative. His presence immediately caught Livia's attention.

"Wait... isn't that Mr. Okabe?" Livia asked, blinking in surprise. "What is he doing here?"

Valkyrie glanced at her and shrugged. "You see, ever since the merge, people who didn't play the game became normal NPCs. Which means... they're just ordinary people here now. Even though sometimes they talk like scripted NPC dialogue, they also act and respond like real people in normal situations. So, they aren't entirely NPCs—they're just... well, somewhere in between."

Livia furrowed her brows. "Wow... that's such a complicated explanation."

The man finally reached them, stopping a few steps away. He adjusted his tie before giving a polite nod. "Greetings. My name is Okabe Fushimigaro."

Livia's eyes lit up, and she smiled. "Oh! Hello, Mr. Okabe! It's been a while."

But Okabe tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Do I know you, miss?"

Livia's smile faltered, her heart sinking. "Wait... so does that mean they don't remember—?"

Before she could finish, Okabe suddenly chuckled lightly. "Ah, apologies. It has been a while, Livia. You do know I can't call you by your original name, right? Not sure why, but here, you're recognized as Livia."

She let out a relieved sigh. "Seriously, I thought they had completely forgotten about us since they're now NPCs. But it seems they still remember us."

Valkyrie, getting back to the main topic, folded her arms. "Well, I already set up the duel request, so... is something going on here?"

Okabe nodded. "Oh, yes. Just after you commissioned the duel request, we received another request. There's going to be an event where different parties will fight one another. One of the strongest parties currently here will be participating, as they're attempting to clear Floor 10. However, that floor has proven to be... problematic."

Ichio raised an eyebrow. "Problematic how?"

Okabe's tone grew more serious. "Most of the strongest parties refuse to go there because the boss on Floor 10 seems to possess an unknown yet incredibly powerful ability.

 According to reports, one party that attempted the floor was completely wiped out, and none of them returned. With no intel on the boss, fear has kept most players from making further attempts.

The event is being held to find capable individuals who might have the strength to challenge Floor 10."

Ichio crossed his arms. "So it's a Battle Royale, then?"

Okabe nodded. "Yes, something like that. Will your party be willing to join the event?"

Ichio glanced at the others before answering. "Well... we aren't exactly a party yet."

Vitalia smirked. "Then why don't we register as Wanderers and make it official? We can use our old name, or we can pick a new one."

Okabe gave an approving nod. "That would be a great idea. Why don't you head to the counter and register yourselves as Wanderers? The receptionist will handle the process. Just tell her you're guests of mine."

With that, they resumed walking, heading toward the main guild hall.

Vitalia glanced at Livia with curiosity.

"By the way, who was that guy we just talked to? You seemed to know him before the merge."

Livia blinked before realization hit her. "Wait... you don't remember him?"

Then she let out a small laugh. "Oh, right. You didn't go to the same branch of our school that I did. No wonder."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "You see, he was our principal. He was always the joking type, so yeah, that explains why he pulled that little stunt on me.

But honestly, I'm surprised you don't know him since he was technically the principal for both our branches. Then again, he did spend more time at ours than yours."

Vitalia gave her a lazy, off-putting smile. "Well, the only thing I cared about was my science. As long as I got to do my experiments, I didn't care who was in charge."

Livia thought to herself, 'Scary...'

Meanwhile, at the front, Valkyrie and Ichio led the way, while the others trailed behind them. Valkyrie suddenly turned to Ichio, her expression serious.

"Ichio, is your Axion Class the same as Knox's?"

Ichio didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Why?"

"Well," Valkyrie said, folding her arms, "when you register as a Wanderer, they ask about your Axion Class and its details."

Before Ichio could respond, Livia stepped forward to walk beside him, looking at him intently.

 "Yeah, they will ask you about it. And if it's the same as Knox's, that means you possess all Axion Classes. That could be a problem. You can't just tell them that, you know."

Vitalia, still relaxed, smirked. "Then maybe he can just list one and focus on that one without actually showing that he's capable of using the others."

Ichio sighed, rubbing his chin in thought. "I did consider this possibility. I knew that, at some point, I'd have to come clean about it... but now's not the time.

 I need to use this advantage and grow stronger before anyone can find out."

With that, he extended his hand forward. In an instant, a sleek, futuristic-looking gun materialized in his palm, its design a fusion of science and Metra.

Livia's eyes lit up. "Oh! That's the gun you made!"

Ichio nodded. "Yeah. For now, I plan on using Technologist as my default Axion Class." He spun the gun in his hand before holding it up for them to see.

"And here's why. Based on the details given about the Technologist Axion Class, when you create a weapon using it, you can imbue it with Artem abilities.

 However, since it's technology-based, it can only be imbued Artem abilities that can be explained by the laws of physics."

He paused before adding, "But this gun? I didn't just use the Technologist Axion Class. I also incorporated Artisan and Artemist into its creation. However, I designed it in a way that, no matter how closely you look at it, it still appears purely technological."

Livia tilted her head. "So, in other words, even though an Artisan makes artifacts and Metra-powered weapons, and a Technologist only makes scientific weapons that abide by physics, you managed to merge them seamlessly?"

Ichio smirked. "Exactly. I've already thought about how to handle this, and this is the approach I'm taking."

Valkyrie gave him a long look before shaking her head with a small chuckle. "You're still as intelligent as ever."

Livia smiled warmly. "I know, right? I'm always amazed by how smart he is."

Vitalia, on the other hand, just stared at him. "Just how far ahead did you think all of this through?"

Before Ichio could answer, they reached the main guild hall. The place was bustling with Wanderers, mercenaries, and guild staff. As they approached the registration counter, they saw a young woman sitting there.

She was around 18 or 19 years old, with silver hair cascading down her back, striking features, and a well-endowed figure. Her sharp eyes and confident posture made her stand out from the typical receptionists.

Livia, upon taking a closer look, suddenly pointed at her, her eyes widening in shock.

"Wait... Elsa?!"

As soon as Livia pointed her out, the silver-haired receptionist looked up at Ichio, her lips curving into a teasing smile.

"It's nice to see you again, Ichi-san," she said in a flirtatious tone.

Ichio met her gaze with a calm nod. "Likewise, Elsa. It's been a while. I hope you've been well. And... Sorry about before."

Elsa chuckled lightly. "No worries. It didn't bother me at all."

Meanwhile, Valkyrie and Vitalia exchanged looks, their expressions practically screaming: He's already wooed an NPC?!

Livia, however, wasn't about to be ignored. She leaned forward, pointing at Elsa again. "Wait, wait—don't just brush me off! You are Elsa, right? From the inn in Giban? You're the one who took care of me when I was in my depressed mode, right?"

Elsa tilted her head slightly before nodding. "Yeah, that was me. But... how did you recognize me?"

Livia crossed her arms. "Well, I can sort of sense the Metra of people, and I remember yours pretty well. It's the same as hers." She gestured toward Elsa. "But hold on—didn't you have brown hair before? What gives?"

She then turned toward Valkyrie, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Wait, Valkyrie—can NPCs even move between floors? That's supposed to be impossible, right?"

Valkyrie tapped a finger against her chin thoughtfully. "Normally, no. But unless an NPC has some kind of special role... like being part of a unique scenario or something, then it might be possible."

Livia turned back to Elsa, narrowing her eyes. "Okay, but what are you doing here?

 I mean, back at the inn, you were just some random girl who took care of me. How are you even—" She paused, staring at Elsa's features. "...Wait a second. If this is how you actually look, that face... You kinda look like that actress..."

Before she could finish, Elsa smiled. "Well, that is me."

Livia's eyes widened. "What?!" She took a step back, staring in shock. "Hold on—so you're Elsa Sterwen?! How?! I can't believe you're an NPC!

If you're really Elsa Sterwen then… wait a minute, you talked a lot about video games in interviews, didn't you?

If that's the case, you should be a player here! I mean, EGO was one of the most popular games!"

Elsa sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, I did talk about it... but I didn't actually play games all that much. It was just part of being an actress.

My manager always said talking about things like that would make fans think I was relatable." She shrugged.

"But it wasn't the life I chose for myself. My parents wanted me to be an actress because of my looks, and well...

I did it to make them happy." She waved her hand dismissively. "But enough about me. Why don't we talk about you guys instead?"

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the counter. "Did the Guildmaster send you here? If you're his guests, that must mean you're here to register as Wanderers, right? Well then, why don't we get to that?"

Elsa turned and headed toward the back of the guild hall. A moment later, she returned, carrying four sleek, glass-like tablets that looked entirely transparent, as if they were made of pure crystal. Handing one to each of them, she smiled.

"Please fill in your details," she instructed.

The group quickly completed the registration process, entering their information. Once done, Elsa gestured for them to follow her.

"Come with me," she said, leading them deeper into the guild hall.

As they entered the next room, a series of floating tablets—similar to the ones they had just used but larger—hovered above glowing orbs. Each tablet had a designation above it, representing one of the twelve Axion Classes. The entire room emitted a faint, ethereal glow, as if infused with pure Metra energy.

Elsa turned to them and explained, "As you can see, each of these floating tablets corresponds to an Axion Class. Place your hand on the orb beneath your designated class, and it will measure your Metra capacity while registering your details."

Livia stepped forward first, approaching the Warrior Axion Class orb. She placed her hand on it, and instantly, the entire orb lit up with a brilliant, pure blue light. The glow intensified, filling the room with a blinding radiance. Then, without warning—

Crack!

The tablet above the orb shattered.

Crack!

The orb itself fractured and collapsed into shimmering fragments before vanishing into nothingness.

The entire room went silent.

Elsa blinked in surprise. "...Wow. Given how you were back in Giban, I didn't expect you to be this powerful. The orb only breaks when it cannot measure a person's Metra capacity. That's... quite rare."

She stepped forward, placing a hand on her hip. "No matter how high someone's Metra is, unless it surpass Alpha, the system should be able to measure it. But I don't think you have even fully unlocked your full Metra capacity yet. That means..."

Livia tilted her head. "It means what?"

Before Elsa could answer, the shattered tablet suddenly regenerated itself, reforming as if nothing had happened.

Livia crossed her arms, smirking. "Oh, that's impressive. So if it breaks, it just restores itself?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes, but we still have to upgrade it. If people like you exist, it means there are stronger individuals than we anticipated."

As Elsa spoke, Valkyrie approached the Contractor orb, raising her hand to place it. But before she could touch it—

"Wait," Ichio said, stepping forward. His tone was calm but firm. He turned to Elsa. "You saw what happened with Livia, right?

If she broke the orb, then if Valkyrie touches it, the damage will be beyond repair. I don't think the orb—or even the tablet—will be able to regenerate from the damage it will take."

Elsa hesitated, considering his words, before nodding. "Alright. I'll take her Metra capacity info the same as Livia."

"Thank you," Ichio said. Then he turned to Elsa again. "That goes for Vitalia and myself as well.

I'm not trying to brag, but if Livia's Metra was too much for the orb, then ours would only cause even greater damage."

With that settled, Elsa completed their registration manually.

As they returned to the main guild hall, Livia pouted, crossing her arms. So he thinks I'm the weakest among us? She thought to herself. Fine. I'll prove him wrong soon enough.

Once back, Elsa handed them small, translucent cards, similar in size to a regular ID card.

"These are your Wanderer ID Cards," she explained. "You can use them to contact each other, since you're in the same party. You can also add other Wanderers as friends.

It works just like your status board, but with this card, you can access other guilds, accept quests, and participate in events."

She then placed a tablet on the counter. "Now, all of you sign here."

One by one, they signed their names. As soon as the last signature was placed, the tablet emitted a soft blue glow.

"Your party is now officially formed," Elsa said with a smile. "So, what name would you like to choose?"

Elsa explained, "If your party reaches a certain size, you'll qualify for a Guild Name. But for now, since you only have four members, you remain a Party."

Ichio thought for a moment before answering, "We're calling ourselves Infinite Ego."

Then, after a brief pause, he added, "But I want you to modify our party settings. Whenever we complete an event or achieve something that would be announced.

 I want our party name to be displayed as Knull instead of Infinite Ego. I'm not planning to reveal our real name just yet."

Elsa gave him a knowing look before nodding. "Understood."

With a few swift taps on the floating interface before her, she adjusted the settings accordingly. However, she made sure that only she or Ichio could change this setting.

Apart from the people present, nobody else knew about this change. Ichio would only reveal Infinite Ego when the time was right—and he could only do so from a guild in one of the Arena Floors.

[Their journey as Wanderers has officially begun, I think]

 CHAPTER END.

This is the end of volume 1, I hope you enjoyed it. If so please leave a comment, I would love to know what you think about my story.

VOLUME END.