“’The moments of now combine to create the future.'”
This line from some long-forgotten book I once read struck a chord with me back in the days when I was aimlessly going through life. It became my personal motto as a college student who was just aimlessly wasting time every day, providing me with an awakening.
It was also the first real motto I ever had. In the context of the book, it emphasized not sacrificing the present for vague notions like “I’ll do it later,” “I’ll be better in the future,” or “I can deal with it later.” Instead, it urged living fully in the present moment.
Even after I was suddenly transported to another world, this motto stayed with me. So, in this new world, I decided to live each day to its fullest, giving my best in everything I could.
Of course, it wasn’t as if I had no special abilities or anything.
I found satisfaction in watching my stats grow steadily with effort, and once I began to utilize my abilities more fully, I advanced beyond being just “Unnamed Mercenary #1” at an adventurer’s guild.
Drawing on my preference for observing rather than leading, I founded a secret organization that eventually grew so powerful it could sway an entire nation, giving me a sense of pride in that accomplishment.
I spent my time enjoying every moment in the Arkaria Continent, gradually concluding that I’d done everything I could possibly imagine after ten years. I decided it was time for a break in some quiet place.
That’s when the purpose of the previously mysterious “Quest” tab finally became clear.
[Status Window]
[Name: Ryu Young]
[Title: Leader of Black Shadow Guild]
[Job: None]
[Stats: 0P]
Strength: 85
Agility: 87
Magic: 46
Luck: 10
Health: 83
[Ability: Dimensional Shift]
[Quest: Main(1)]
“Hmm.”
Upon checking my status window, everything became crystal clear. The [Quest: Main(1)] item had always been listed as inactive until now.
Back when I first noticed it, I figured it might activate eventually, but after several years with no change, it faded from my memory.
And then, suddenly, here it was catching me completely off guard.
“So, does this mean that jobs and quests both… haven’t really started yet?”
With the main quest now active, the mysteries that had baffled me until now began to resolve one by one.
Despite the fact I’d led a notorious organization whose exploits included breaking into aristocratic treasuries — hardly the stuff of heroes — my job was always listed as “None,” and my stat points were perpetually at “0.”
“Luck wouldn’t increase no matter what I did, huh?”
It seemed the term “job” in the status window referred not to my actual vocation but to a “class” in the game-like sense, like “Warrior” or “Wizard.”
Apparently, abilities like Luck and “jobs” can only be obtained through quests.
“Do I take joy in this or what?”
Despite my personal motto of “Enjoy the present and give it your best,” it was disheartening to realize that I’d been wasting the last ten years.
Especially when, after ten years, the first main quest that showed up was about enrolling in an academy — far from the thrilling “Yes, it’s finally starting!” I had hoped for.
“Penalty: Game End and Reset”
Though the phrase suggested no alternative, I wasn’t about to feel happy about it.
*
The Black Shadow Guild.
Though not widely known outside underground circles, it’s a name familiar within the inner workings of the shadowy underbelly of the Arkaria Continent. Appearing without fanfare one day, this group grew its influence at an alarming rate. Now, it’s so powerful that nations themselves tread carefully around it.
Much of the guild’s swift rise can be attributed to its leader, Ryu Young, the man who founded the Black Shadow Guild. Despite his notoriety, he remains an enigma. Even his own guild members know little about him. Ryu keeps both his face and his true abilities hidden, except to his closest confidants.
Reputed to prefer using a sword but also skilled in sneaky teleportation magic, Ryu Young became famous for solving even the toughest cases. His title, Black Shadow, fittingly matches the elusive nature of his activities.
His exploits are many and legendary enough to fill books, but his most famous deed remains the “Dragon Heart Heist.”
The O’Neil Kingdom, proud of its impregnable vaults where they kept a rare Dragon Heart, was left baffled when the treasure vanished without a trace. They didn’t realize it was stolen until days later due to no evidence of unauthorized entry.
What gave Ryu Young away? A crudely carved wooden dragon figurine and a card simply inscribed with “Black Shadow” left where the Dragon Heart once sat.
This incident catapulted the Black Shadow Guild and its leader into fame across the continent, to the point where others began imitating the style of leaving carved figurines at the scene of thefts.
That same stolen Dragon Heart now found a practical use as Ryu’s personal office air conditioning system, regulating the temperature.
“So, what exactly do you intend to do?”
“I’m enrolling in an academy. And this thing seems to be losing its cooling effect… could I be overusing it?”
“Dragon Hearts aren’t something that wear out from being used too long… wait, what? Academy?”
“What, I’ve already mentioned this like three times already.”
Ryu’s personal secretary, Eddi, gazed up at the Dragon Heart installed in the center of the ceiling and slowly took a deep breath. The gem, responsible for both the cooling of the leader’s office and hiding the guild building from view, continued to gleam blindingly, oblivious to Eddi’s frustration.
‘Exhale…’
Though their boss — no, their leader — has made strange comments often, this one surpassed previous levels of absurdity.
“Why…?”
“Huh…?”
Eddi tried her best to approach Ryu’s words rationally, despite his eccentricities and whimsical nature.
“I don’t even know why I feel I must do this…”
“…Hmm?”
“I’ll just say it’s for all of us to live a better life. If I join Crescent Academy, it will ensure better futures for everyone.”
“Someone’s threatening you, perhaps?”
“Mm… it is some form of threat, I guess.”
At Ryu’s reply, Eddi furrowed her brows, trying to figure out who had the guts — let alone the power — to threaten the leader of the Black Shadow Guild. The only one who might could be the archwizard William.
But even if Ryu was being threatened, it didn’t fit his character to comply with such threats. Everything about the current situation seemed bizarre and suspicious.
“Still, it’s Crescent Academy. I need you to arrange a suitable identity for me.”
“Crescent Empire’s academy, you said?”
“Yes.”
“Why Crescent specifically?”
“Not my choice either, but it seems like their nation’s big enough and prosperous enough to fit the narrative?”
Eddi sighed upon realizing the subtle humor behind Ryu’s questions. The public image of the Black Shadow Guild Leader was one of cold precision and ruthless efficiency, but the real Ryu Young was anything but. Rather, he had a light and cheerful personality.
Yet, he was also extremely thorough when it came to his duties and demonstrated moments of true leadership when needed.
Thanks to this, Eddi, who had been with Ryu since the establishment of the guild, was gradually starting to buy into his wild schemes.
After all, the real Ryu Young didn’t seem like someone who would go through with absurd plans. The “Dragon Heart Heist” for example, initially framed as a simple attempt to procure a luxurious air conditioner, eventually turned out to save the O’Neil Kingdom itself, unbeknownst to them.
Plus, if this was merely a joke, it had gone on long enough. Since Ryu was dead serious about acquiring an identity, Eddi knew it had to be real.
“Apparently, the entrance exam is just two days away.”
“Ah.”
“So, get me an identity by then?”
“Hnn…”
“At least we didn’t have any missions lined up since I’d decided to take a break before this.”
“Surely not for this?”
“Definitely not.”
Eddi considered whether to trust Ryu’s words, but at this point, it was irrelevant. He always stuck doggedly to decisions once made.
“Though, Crescent might be somewhat dangerous?”
“Huh?”
“There’s quite a bounty on you in the Crescent Empire.”
“What? On me in Crescent?”
“Though not as intense as O’Neil’s nationwide manhunt, there’s still a high chance of being recognized given that you previously robbed the Petra Ducal House.”
“Ah, right. But no one knows my face, right?”
“That’s true… but there’s always an element of risk, isn’t there? Also, it’s rumored the third daughter of the Petra Dukedom has some unconventional tastes…”
“Ah, got it. Speaking of which, I want you to do something while I’m gone.”
“What might that be?”
“Guild Leader responsibilities. You’re quite good at it. Dress accordingly so rumors spread that the Leader has become a woman while I’m away in Crescent…”
BASH!
Eddi exited the room with a slam of the door before Ryu could finish his sentence.
The expression on her face right before leaving was caught somewhere between embarrassment and fury.
“Hmph. Maybe before I get tied down to this academy, I should travel the world for a bit…”
After Eddi strode out, Ryu stood up thoughtfully. Although at first the sudden quest seemed less than ideal, his perspective had changed.
Why not enjoy the ride, since I’m already on it?
