Chapter 6: Who is he?

[STATISTICS]

[AUTHORITY LEVEL: Commoners (385/1500 XP)]

[STRENGTH: D (0/1500 XP)]

[COUNTRY: Small Village (Money: 0/10,000, Villagers: 5/25)]

[SUPPORT: (Public: 75/100(%), Politics: 0/100(%))]

"Good night, everyone," Darren said before they all closed the day. They had just finished their final meal. After spending a few days in this area, it had been quite pleasant.

However, Darren's goal remained the same from the start. He would leave if he ever encountered a merchant passing through this place.

Every time he was about to sleep, Darren could see the statistics summarizing everything he had done. The stats seemed to paint the sky in a translucent glow. He could see them for five minutes before they disappeared, replaced by the stunning stars that pampered his eyes.

In his previous life, Darren often felt pressured by his responsibilities. He had to work day and night to run his once-successful hotel business, which flourished before COVID-19. At a young age, he was quite remarkable with a business that enabled him to achieve almost anything early in life.

But that glory became a bittersweet tale. COVID-19 turned his money-filled life into a growing list of debts he couldn't pay. His arrogance in youth cost Darren his friends. A hard lesson—he should have stayed humble because one never knows when the world will turn.

Thanks to completing a few tasks given by Sasa, Darren managed to collect 385 XP over the past few days. If this game wanted him to become an Emperor, he couldn't tell how long that would take.

And what about his mother? Darren secretly missed her nagging, even though it often ended with him slamming his bedroom door shut.

"Your Highness," Evan called to Darren, who was still awake. Darren thought he was the only one still up. Turns out, Evan was awake too. "You were right, we need to think carefully. We don't even have tools like hammers or hoes to survive here. The only weapon we have is Cal's small knife, and maybe a few stone axes he made today."

"Stop calling me that, Evan," Darren said, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm no longer a prince, and not a king's or emperor's son anymore."

"But everyone knows you have noble blood. That's a fact that can't be hidden," Leon chimed in, apparently still awake too.

"Let's just say I'm a poor noble," Darren replied, ending his words with a soft chuckle. "I'd prefer if you all just called me Darren."

"How about 'Boss'?" Cal suggested as they talked. Darren, who had already lain down, sat up again.

"You're all still awake?" Darren looked around at everyone who still had their eyes open. "Not sleepy yet?"

"I usually sleep at midnight, Boss," Evan replied while watching the road visible from their camp.

Today, they have done quite a lot. After fishing, they cleaned the campsite and pulled the weeds growing toward the road. Then came the sound of galloping horses in the distance. Everyone was curious; it was the first time they had heard horses pulling a wagon so quickly.

"Is that a merchant?" Elric stood up, followed by everyone else, watching the wagon heading toward Mierre-Park. "It is! But why are there other horses?"

"Bandits! Help!" The cry made everyone run toward the road, trying to block the bandits chasing the merchant. There were three bandits on horseback pursuing a merchant pulled by two horses and hauling a large load from Narima Beach.

Meanwhile, Evan stayed beside Darren. He had no intention of leaving, even as their friends rushed to help.

"So you're still alive after being exiled." Both Evan and Darren quickly turned. Seeing who had arrived, Evan stepped in front of the noble-looking man. He wore a white shirt with light brown trousers. His brown hair glistened under the moonlight, revealing his identity.

Especially when his face was lit by the orange glow of the campfire. Darren recognized that face.

"Richard?" the man chuckled softly.

"Hello, little brother. Isn't it better if you step aside?" Richard asked Evan to move. Darren tried to process everything he had just learned.

Brother? So Darren is Richard's younger brother in this game?

But more importantly... how did Richard end up in this game too?

"I must protect Prince Darren. You are a threat to him," Evan stated, confirming that there was bad blood between Darren and Richard—or more precisely, between Darren and his brother.

"Let me talk to my brother, Evan," Darren ordered, asking Evan to step aside. There was much Darren wanted to ask Richard. One of them was how Richard got him into this game.

"Your Highness, I can't leave you alone," Evan refused, still determined to protect Darren.

"I'll be fine. Help the others fight the bandits, I'll be okay." Hearing Darren's order, Evan left to assist the others, who were busy battling the bandits.

"I'll get straight to the point. I don't want you returning to the palace." After just arriving, Richard was already hostile. "You're lucky I've let you live this long."

"Are you threatening me?" Darren asked bluntly as he walked closer to Richard, who stood confidently. "Get me out of this game."

"I can't," Richard replied plainly. "I can't get you out—nor can I leave myself."

"Then find a way!" Darren demanded in frustration. "If we're both stuck here, then we have to finish this damn game!"

Richard drew his sword. Though there was still distance between them, Darren guessed the blade was about a meter long.

"Then I'll finish the game," Richard said, resting the cold blade against Darren's neck. The chill of steel, mixed with the cold night, made Darren feel like he was burning. He still felt fear—fear of death.

"Asshole!" Darren spat. Richard was one of his best friends, and now all he wanted to do was kill him. Darren's fists clenched. He hated seeing Richard like this, acting like some tyrant when he was the one who dragged Darren into this world.

"I need to kill you here. Then I can go home." Richard's intentions had never been good. Darren suspected Richard knew the developers were working on a live-action-based game. "Oh, about those bandits? They're my men. Sorry if they give you trouble later."

"You're a real bastard drunk on power!" Darren yelled, hoping Richard might come to his senses. Though deep down, he knew it was futile.

"I'll admit it—I want to beat this game the easy way. Two paths: kill you and kill the Emperor. But I'm choosing the harder way because this game is fun. Right?"

Darren was furious at Richard's smugness. His chest rose and fell with rage—he was threatened, but at the same time, he wanted to kill Richard.

"I'll finish this game too. Which means I'll be the one to kill you in the end. Whether you survive or surrender is your choice. I'll be waiting for news of your death," Richard said before walking away, leaving Darren frozen in place.

From this day on, Darren cursed Richard for all of his wickedness.