Clop, clop, clop.
The steady rhythm of horse hooves echoed through the air.
Before arriving at my destination, I decided to take a look at the complete map of the Duchy of Belmond that I’d received as a quest reward.
‘It’s not that different from what I imagined.’
Villages were spread out along a river that ran through the center of the territory, while a tall, thick wall surrounded the outer edges.
It was much more organized than I’d expected.
However, since I hadn’t visited any of those areas yet, they were completely blacked out. There were no place names or colors to distinguish them.
The only thing I could really tell was that the duchy was enormous.
‘Guess I’ll have to explore it myself.’
Well, that probably meant there were plenty of exploration rewards waiting for me, so I certainly wasn’t complaining.
Not long afterward, the carriage came to a gentle stop.
“You may get off now.”
At the coachman’s words, I gathered my belongings and climbed down.
An unfamiliar sight spread out before me.
A massive bridge, like something straight out of a historical film or drama.
Just as I’d expected, the moat gate beyond it was tightly shut.
Without a word, the coachman walked over to a large pulley mechanism and began turning the handle.
Ruuumble!
With a thunderous roar, the heavy drawbridge slowly lowered.
Once the castle gate had fully opened, he spoke calmly.
“By His Grace’s orders, this moat gate will remain open for only eight hours.”
“E-Eight hours?”
A time-limited quest!?
“That is correct.”
“It is a security measure for the castle. Please make sure you return before nightfall.”
“Uh…”
As I stared at him in surprise, a small timer appeared in the corner of my vision.
[07:59:59]
Well… what can I do?
I hadn’t expected a time attack quest, but these kinds of quests were common enough in games.
Even if I hadn’t seen this coming, I’d just have to accept it.
“Alright…”
“Please travel safely.”
“Okay… I’ll be back.”
A chilly breeze drifted past.
Shivering slightly, I pulled my robe tighter around myself and crossed the drawbridge.
Just as the head maid had said, once I crossed the bridge, a dark oak forest immediately blocked my path.
[You have entered a new area for the first time. Exploration reward granted. +300 Diamonds]
[New Area: Duchy of Belmond – Oak Forest]
A dense oak forest created by the First Duke of Belmond to prevent outside invasions.
The tall trees and thick canopy keep the forest dark even during the daytime.
Warning! If you hear strange sounds or see unfamiliar figures, do not react.
After reading the warning—which matched exactly what the head maid had told me—I nervously stepped into the forest.
It was around noon.
The weather was perfectly clear, but the towering oak trees blocked nearly all the sunlight.
Inside the forest…
It was almost as dark as night.
Only a few thin beams of sunlight slipped through the branches, barely illuminating the path ahead.
Just enough to remind me that it was actually daytime.
‘Forget the darkness… why does the air feel so damp?’
It’s probably just my imagination.
Yeah… that’s all it is.
Trying to convince myself, I hurried along the faint woodland path winding between the trees.
Rustle… rustle…
The dry leaves beneath my feet made an eerily unsettling sound.
At first I’d been thrilled by how realistic the graphics were.
Now…
I was tense enough to jump if a ghost popped out.
The head maid’s warning certainly didn’t help.
I—
I just—
‘I hate scary things!’
When I’d first realized this game’s atmosphere wasn’t what I’d expected, I’d been genuinely worried.
The only thing reassuring me was the giant “Romance Simulation” label attached to the game.
Otherwise, every terrifying thing I’d encountered would have sent my heart into overdrive.
Instead, my hopelessly optimistic brain had reinterpreted all of it as romantic game content.
And having so many people around had also been comforting…
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.]
“Huh?”
The sudden system message made me stop walking.
Sure, it was recommending jogging…
But the timing couldn’t have been more random.
“Right now?”
There was a path…
But jogging?
In a forest this dark?
What if I tripped over a rock?
Naturally, I ignored the message and kept walking.
Then—
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.]
The system wasn’t giving up.
“N-No thanks.”
Like someone fleeing from an overly aggressive street vendor, I pretended not to see it.
But had the system gone crazy?
Or was it offended that I’d ignored it?
The moment I dismissed the tip, it began repeatedly spamming the same window.
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.]
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.]
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.]
Completely dumbfounded, I started furiously clicking the X.
Then…
[★IMPORTANT!!!!!★]
A flashing message suddenly appeared.
Then an even longer notification covered nearly my entire field of vision.
[Beginner Tip! Light jogging helps relieve stress and improve your mood.
Additional benefits include improved cardiovascular endurance, reduced body fat, better blood sugar regulation, stronger immunity, improved sleep quality, and increased self-esteem and confidence.]
It was like the system was desperately trying to sell me something.
Actually…
It was even worse than that pushy salesman who’d convinced me to buy the Peace Herb Bracelet in the special sale area.
Speaking of which…
‘Does this bracelet even do anything?’
I glanced down at the pretty—but so far seemingly useless—bracelet on my wrist before looking back at the system’s increasingly desperate lecture about the benefits of jogging.
Even then…
I refused to move.
[★IMPORTANT!!!!!★
Please run to improve your stamina!]
Ugh… I really don’t want to.
[Create your first running record and receive 500 Diamonds as a reward.]
…Huh?
It gives me money?
Just for running?
“Fine!”
“I’m going!”
Apparently the game really wanted me to run.
Feeling practically shoved forward by the endless system messages, I finally started jogging.
But the windows kept filling my vision until…
I had no choice but to sprint.
“Huff… huff…”
About ten minutes later…
I staggered to a stop, bending over with my hands on my knees as I struggled to catch my breath.
Beyond the forest path…
I could finally see the exit.
Only then did I realize I’d practically been running at full speed the whole time.
‘Why did I actually listen to it…?’
The head maid had warned me over and over to stay alert.
But I hadn’t had time to notice anything around me.
Strange voices?
The only thing I’d heard was my own heavy breathing.
[New personal record! +500 Diamonds]
Well…
At least I’d gotten the reward.
Completely exhausted, I finally closed the system window that had been tormenting me.
Unlike before—when it absolutely refused to disappear—it obediently vanished the moment I finished my run.
[07:48:11]
Ten minutes had passed.
I’d learned that sprinting through the forest only took about ten minutes…
Though I wasn’t sure how useful that information would actually be.
Whew.
After taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the forest.
At last…
The village came into view.
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