Trapped Inside My Favorite Game

Chapter 5: No Choice but to Follow

Luna stared at the black phoenix badge in Kael Ravencrest's hand.

The silver emblem gleamed under the afternoon sun.

Around them, the villagers had fallen silent. Even Captain Rowan remained quiet, watching the confrontation unfold.

Luna slowly looked up.

"You want me to join your guild?"

Kael's expression remained unreadable.

"I said you have two choices."

"I heard you."

She folded her arms, trying to hide how nervous she felt.

"But I don't know you."

A faint smile appeared on one of the guild members' faces.

"No one refuses the Guild Master."

Luna ignored him.

"I just saved this village. Why are you treating me like a criminal?"

Kael answered without hesitation.

"Because you know things you shouldn't."

His calm voice carried enough authority to silence everyone nearby.

"You identified an unknown monster."

"You predicted its attacks."

"You chose the only structure capable of killing it."

He took another step closer.

"That isn't luck."

Luna forced herself to meet his eyes.

"I've always been observant."

Kael stared at her for several seconds.

Then he said simply,

"No."

The single word made her stomach tighten.

"I don't believe you."

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Luna sighed.

"I appreciate your invitation."

"It wasn't an invitation."

"...but I'm staying here."

She turned around and started walking toward Emily and Captain Rowan.

"I've made my decision."

Before she had taken three steps, Kael spoke again.

"You won't leave this village."

Luna stopped.

She looked over her shoulder.

"Is that a threat?"

"It's reality."

"You can't force me."

"I can."

His answer was so direct that it caught her off guard.

Luna frowned.

"I'm not your prisoner."

"Not yet."

Several Black Phoenix members moved without another word.

Within seconds, they had quietly surrounded her.

Not with drawn weapons.

But close enough that escaping would be difficult.

Emily grabbed Luna's hand.

"Miss Luna..."

Captain Rowan stepped forward.

"Guild Master, she's one of my villagers."

Kael looked at him respectfully.

"I know."

"Then let her stay."

"I can't."

Captain Rowan frowned.

"Why?"

Kael's eyes shifted toward the corpse of the Crimson Fang Alpha.

"Because whatever brought those monsters here is connected to her."

The villagers gasped.

Luna's heart skipped a beat.

Connected to me?

Kael continued.

"The creature ignored every other target."

"It pursued Luna alone."

"It even identified her by name."

He looked directly at her.

"I need answers."

Luna clenched her fists.

"I don't have any."

"Then come with me."

"And if I refuse?"

Kael remained silent.

His silence answered the question.

Luna slowly looked around.

There were nearly twenty elite guild members.

Most were far stronger than she could ever hope to defeat.

She had reached only Level Four.

Running now would be impossible.

Or...

Would it?

Her eyes wandered toward the western side of the village.

Behind several damaged houses lay a narrow forest trail.

Players almost never used it.

It eventually connected to an abandoned hunter's road.

More importantly...

Black Phoenix wouldn't know it existed.

A plan formed in her mind.

She took a deep breath.

"I need some water."

Kael nodded once.

"Go."

Luna walked calmly toward the village well.

One guild member followed a few steps behind.

Good.

She lowered the bucket into the well.

As everyone watched her, she suddenly kicked a loose barrel beside her.

The barrel rolled downhill.

It smashed into another cart.

The cart tipped over.

Boxes and sacks spilled across the street.

"What was that?"

People instinctively stepped back.

Dust filled the air.

Now!

Luna sprinted.

"She ran!"

The guild member shouted.

Kael didn't move.

"After her."

Black Phoenix rushed forward.

Luna darted between buildings as fast as she could.

Her lungs burned.

Her injured shoulder throbbed with every step.

She ignored the pain.

Just reach the forest.

She leaped over broken fences and squeezed through narrow alleys.

Behind her came the sound of armored boots.

"She's fast!"

"Cut her off!"

Luna smiled despite herself.

You don't know this map.

I do.

She reached the old hunter's trail exactly as she remembered.

The narrow path twisted through thick bushes.

Perfect.

She slipped into the trees.

Branches scraped against her clothes.

Leaves brushed her face.

The sounds of pursuit grew quieter.

"I lost them..."

She slowed down, breathing heavily.

For the first time since arriving in this world, she allowed herself to smile.

"I actually escaped."

"Did you?"

A calm voice came from ahead.

Luna froze.

Standing in the middle of the trail was Kael Ravencrest.

His black cloak moved gently in the wind.

His sword remained sheathed.

He looked completely relaxed.

Luna's smile disappeared.

"How..."

"You were wondering how I got here first."

She nodded silently.

Kael glanced around the forest.

"This road is hidden."

"It doesn't appear on any official maps."

Luna's eyes widened.

Then how—

"You hesitated for half a second before running."

"I noticed where you looked."

He pointed toward the trail.

"So I guessed this was your destination."

Luna stared at him.

He had read her movements that quickly.

No wonder he was considered the strongest guild master.

She slowly backed away.

"I'm leaving."

"No."

"I don't want trouble."

"You already have trouble."

Kael stepped forward.

"So do I."

Luna turned and ran again.

She barely made it ten steps.

A black shadow flashed past her.

Kael appeared directly in front of her.

She skidded to a stop.

Impossible...

He was too fast.

She tried moving left.

He blocked her.

She moved right.

Again, he stepped into her path.

Not once did he reach for his sword.

He didn't need to.

"Luna."

His voice remained calm.

"If I wanted to capture you by force, this conversation would already be over."

She knew he was right.

He had countless opportunities to knock her unconscious.

Instead...

He kept talking.

"Then why chase me?"

"Because I believe you're the key to what's happening."

"I don't know anything."

"Another lie."

She looked away.

Kael sighed quietly.

"I won't ask again."

He held out his hand.

"Come with me."

Luna hesitated.

If she refused, he would drag her back.

If she accepted, she would be walking into the headquarters of the strongest guild in the kingdom.

Neither option felt safe.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

Then she slowly exhaled.

"...Fine."

Kael lowered his hand.

"You've made the right decision."

"I didn't have much of a choice."

"No."

"You didn't."

As they began walking back toward the village, Luna silently promised herself one thing.

She would never let Kael discover the truth.

She had been too careless today.

From now on, she would reveal nothing about her knowledge of the game.

Not another hidden quest.

Not another future event.

Not another secret.

Because if anyone learned she knew the world's future...

She had no idea what they might do to her.

Just then, a blue notification appeared before her eyes.

Main Quest Updated

Travel to Black Phoenix Headquarters

Reward: Unknown

Warning: New Variables Detected

Luna frowned.

"What now?"

The screen flickered.

For a brief second, strange crimson letters appeared beneath the quest.

The Editor Is Watching You.

Before she could read anything else, the message vanished.

A cold chill ran down her spine.

Someone...

Or something...

Already knew exactly where she was.