Possessed as a Tutorial-Exclusive Cheat Character

3 – Ruins, Albion (3)

Combat simulator.

That’s what it meant. It was simply an upgraded version of the virtual reality games that were popular in the modern world, but for training purposes.

But having a synchronization rate of 80% wasn’t exactly a piece of cake.

Nash felt real, and the impact that pierced through my body was realistic enough to make me want to throw up.

But what I had to do was adapt to it.

Desperate struggles for survival. I tried to get used to the pain. Somehow, I carried on.

Outside was hell. To survive in hell, I had to become a demon myself.

Above all…

I didn’t want to feel the pain and helplessness I experienced as a janitor again.

The number of enemies inside the combat simulator kept increasing.

When shot, they died, and their intestines spilled out just like in reality, covering the battlefield.

I did my best to control my senses within it.

Let’s give it a try.

If Drachan can do it…

“…Gah.”

Surely, I can do it too.

. . .

Scarlet Peridot said abruptly.

“Now, you look somewhat capable.”

It was a sharp compliment. But coming from someone who always criticized, it held even more value.

“After three days, you ranked B in urban combat… It’s like your body remembers even if your memory is lost, right?”

“Well, something like that.”

“…When will you stop making excuses?”

“……”

“Well, forget it. Since you’re leaving anyway, I guess there’s no need to know.”

Scarlet Peridot continued to collaborate with me.

“Let’s change the training situation. We need to push ourselves to the limit for it to be helpful later.”

The combat simulation scenarios kept changing. The rank went from B to A.

“You can’t rely on just one weapon. You never know when or where a battle might occur. Let’s experience using all available firearms.”

Even the weapons kept changing. The rank went from A to S.

As for my body, it seemed incredibly sharp in terms of the overall sense of combat. I easily surpassed the combat records of other species.

As I became more accustomed to combat, my keen senses became easier to control. Occasionally, adrenaline would rush through my head, making my chest burn.

The brain secretes an excitement substance when the combat situation lasts long. However, the Drakan’s body still maintained its rationality.

More systematically.

More accurately.

Well, if we look at it from the end result…

Drakan’s physique could truly be seen as a chunk of combat sense. Truly a tutorial-exclusive morale character.

“…Even though you lost your memories, you are still an elite warrior from a young age. You have the potential to make headlines in the news.”

Scarlet Peridot was a strict supervisor, but at the same time, a kind teacher. She registered every possible situation for me in simulations and showed me the way.

“Despite the advancement of civilization, there is a reason why we still use gunpowder-based weapons. They are universal, cheap, and less prone to malfunctions.”

“The weapons of Titans are much stronger than individual weapons. Their weapons are designed primarily considering battles against other Titans.”

“That’s right. Just having one Titan by your side can overwhelm other infantry units. However, that doesn’t mean Titans are invincible.”

“In the end, the efficiency of Titans relies on the pilot’s control. Artificial intelligence is only meant to assist the pilot.”

The training that initially focused on individual combat eventually shifted towards Titans.

The origin of combat power in this world. A manifestation of the combat civilization possessed by a successful mercenary corps.

Moreover, I started handling the exceptional beings of the species, whose functions and skills were outstanding, starting from the last week.

“…This is…”

On the first day of running the Titan piloting combat simulation.

Scarlet Peridot was astonished for the first time.

“How… can you handle it so skillfully? It’s beyond being a veteran…?!”

The reason was simple.

Due to the nature of Frontier Online, where one becomes immersed in virtual reality characters, I had ridden the Flame Tail aircraft thousands of times.

Of course, it wasn’t an exact match. But the overall feeling was similar. The fluid movements of the water and impeccable tactical maneuvers.

Defeating the first Titan unit by utilizing the terrain happened merely on the first day.

“…You actually remember, don’t you?”

“That’s impossible.”

On the first day, there was the 1st generation.

On the second day, there was the 2nd generation.

On the fifth day, I single-handedly defeated the 3rd generation.

Of course, considering external factors and the actual situation, it would be impossible to go this far. Defeating three Titans of the same level is beyond balance.

There was also the familiarity with the opponent’s patterns. Being able to predict their next move made it easy to defeat them.

However, considering that the simulation opponents were also Dragonkin… I secretly hoped for a similar efficiency in real situations. It was merely a hope, though.

“…This battle data is unbelievable. Even veterans who have fought on the battlefield for decades wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Scarlet Peridot, who would sigh just from training in hand-to-hand combat, eventually acknowledged me. That night went round and round like that.

She raised her white flag.

“…I have nothing more to teach you when it comes to combat. You have to learn on-site where practical experience is lacking. But at least you won’t die just anywhere.”

“Then, what about the Titans…”

“No.”

She cheerfully rejected what I was subtly trying to take.

“If you plan to escape Albion, it’s better not to bring it. You will surely catch the attention of Harvest soldiers. While trying to escape, the firepower will concentrate on you, and you won’t even leave a corpse behind.”

“As for Flame Tail’s durability…”

“It’s not enough. The enemy is an army and those who have a record of destroying Albion. To escape Albion’s city changes, you have to go dozens of kilometers away. If you run that much, Flame Tail’s fuel will run out first. In the end, it will become a burden.”

Scarlet Peridot sighed.

“I’ll scan the approximate terrain information for you. If you can just leave Albion’s borders… you should be able to safely reach the nearby neutral city. The further you get from Albion, the Harvest soldiers will also decrease rapidly.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll stay here. There are two days left. Drakan.”

As always, she cleanly finished her nightly farewell.

“You should rest for about two days. You’ve been running too hard all this time. Don’t forget that rest is essential for escaping.”

I accepted Scarlet Peridot’s advice and rested in the room.

But as the fatigue melted away, anxiety about the future shook my body.

Will I be able to do well?

Can I continue to live here?

Within that anxiety, she existed as well. Of course, there was enough food here. Water was abundant enough to take a shower every day, and electricity was supplied continuously from somewhere.

However.

None of it was eternal.

Albion had been revealed to the users of Frontier Online as a ruin seven years in the future. There was no trace of a brilliant civilization here, and that meant one thing: in seven years, she would either leave this place or die.

… Judging by Albion’s current state, it would probably be the latter.

“……”

The night was long. I sat on the bed and silently stared at the wall.

Scarlet Peridot.

I couldn’t exactly tell who she was. She never mentioned anything about herself.

But she helped me. Even though I doubted, she taught me what I should do, what knowledge I should possess, step by step.

And her occasional kindness was truly delightful.

Yet, she might end up dead.

For reasons unknown to me.

“… Such a picky eater…”

Damn.

Even though I knew there would be trouble for my benefactor, I had to leave without warning.

What would Drakan do in such a situation? If he already knew the future, would he have burdened himself with the risk and told her the truth?

… No. It’s better not to see it that way anymore. Drakan was no longer here. The only one left here was me, who became Drakan.

I have to make the decision.

I have to take action.

“…….”

Suddenly, I remembered the old days.

Times when I acted like a fool.

After spending a long night, I finally made up my mind.

“Miss Scarlet.”

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to have any preferred food?”

“Well… I do, actually.”

“Then…”

For the first time, I initiated a personal conversation with her.

“Would you like to have a drink?”

“…….?”

She raised an eyebrow and asked me.

“Drakan, are you alright?”

“……”

I often forget. Like this.

“…Then maybe some drink.”

. . .

Scarlet Peridot sipped on her drink. The sweetness was strong enough to make the brain ring. That’s why she usually restrained herself a little.

You can’t just enjoy happiness in life as you please.

The essence itself can become blurred.

You must always maintain composure. Confidence in the future can only be achieved through reason and coldness.

Normally, she wouldn’t have allowed it. But even so, it was because of the young dragon in front of her.

—Should I say that I feel…?

It was somewhat regrettable too. It was like losing a conversation partner.

“…So?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think you called me just because you wanted some snack.”

Scarlet Peridot looked at him, who was fidgeting with their hands touching each other.

“Do you have something to tell me?”

“…….”.

“If it’s difficult to say, you don’t have to. It’s okay not to say anything.”

A face she wouldn’t see in two days anyway.

Scarlet Peridot sipped her drink. When it finally entered her mouth after having abstained for a while, the suppressed desire was about to explode.

I want to eat more. But I have to endure.

…I’ll satisfy myself by biting my lips. If I indulge too much in the hope of life, it may hinder my future plans.

“Please enjoy your meal comfortably. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Just… wait.”

The young dragon, Drakan Lundvale, took a deep breath. As if he had made up his mind, he stopped his fidgety hand movements.

“I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“…I,.”

He said.

“I am not a Drakan.”

“…….”

Scarlet Peridot quietly set down her drink. The addictive sweetness awakened her senses, and she sighed at the absurdity of the words.

“Your genetic information matches that of a Drakan. Or is Harvest’s technology so advanced that it can perfectly replicate a living being?”

“I am not a soldier of Harvest either.”

“Then what are you?”

“I…,”

Drakan chuckled.

“I came from a different world.”

“……”

If it was a joke, it was a very unfunny one—thought Scarlet Peridot.

But she did not voice it.

And why would she? That one word had resolved all her confusion up until now.

…Moreover…

She felt relieved.

In an instant, the tension she had maintained so tightly unraveled completely.