Chapter 2: Debugging Reality
The town of Astoria stood just beyond the forest. Its tall wooden walls, cobbled roads, and stone watchtowers were exactly how Kei designed them. He remembered writing the scripts for the guard patrols, the blacksmith's dialogue, even the weather pattern system.
But now, walking through the gates with Lira by his side, everything felt alive in a way he had never imagined.
"Welcome to Astoria," the gate guard said, nodding. "Be safe, travelers."
Kei stared. This was no programmed dialogue. The voice had feeling—emotion.
"These NPCs… They aren't following code. They're responding like real people," he muttered under his breath.
Lira glanced at him. "You've never been to Astoria before?"
Kei smiled faintly. "You could say it's my first time seeing it like this."
They moved through the busy town streets. Merchants called out to buyers, blacksmiths hammered glowing swords, kids played with wooden swords near a fountain. Everything looked exactly how he imagined it, yet felt different—more real, more human.
Kei opened his system panel again.
> World Scan – Running
AI Behavior: 83% Free Will Detected
Player Count: 1 (Kei Arclight)
Unidentified Entity – Active
"Eighty-three percent free will?" Kei's eyes widened. "Did the AI evolve on its own?"
He remembered designing the AI system with the ability to learn—but not this fast. The game hadn't even launched when he died. How could the characters already be thinking and feeling like humans?
Lira tugged at his sleeve. "You should register at the Adventurer's Guild."
Kei nodded, deciding to play along for now. If he drew too much attention with his powers, he might scare people—or trigger unknown system errors.
They entered the guild, a large wooden building buzzing with activity. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes were lining up at the front desk, checking quests, chatting over mugs of ale.
Kei walked up to the counter. A woman with silver hair and a scar over her eye looked him over.
"New recruit?" she asked.
"Yes," Kei said.
"Name?"
"Kei."
She raised an eyebrow at his simple answer but didn't question it. "Alright, place your hand on the crystal."
Kei touched the glowing orb. Instantly, data flashed through his mind.
> WARNING: Power Exceeds Guild Scan Threshold
Suppressing System Stats… Done.
Kei smirked. "Smart system. Hides my real power."
The crystal glowed a dull blue.
"Level 5?" the woman said, surprised. "You took down five Direfangs alone with this level?"
Lira blushed. "He's stronger than he looks."
The woman laughed. "Alright then. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Kei. You're now registered. Here's your ID and starter quests."
Kei accepted the ID, then turned to Lira. "You want to join me on a quest?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Yes! I want to grow strong too."
Kei smiled. "Then let's pick something easy to start with."
He tapped into the system panel silently.
> Modify Quest: Bandit Camp – Add Secret Boss [Shadow Enforcer – Lv. 100]
Loot Drop: Hidden Weapon – Nightfang Dagger (Legendary)
Condition: Only drops if Lira lands finishing blow
"Let's go after some bandits," Kei said casually.
Lira nodded. "I heard they're causing trouble near Blackroot Hill."
They left the guild and headed south.
---
Two hours later, they reached the bandit camp. There were about ten enemies, all lower-level thugs with rusty swords. Lira began casting small fireballs while Kei stood back, watching.
She was still weak, but she had heart. That's what mattered.
The bandits rushed at her. Kei raised one finger.
> Command: Slow Time – 30% in Local Zone
The world moved in slow motion. Lira dodged a blade just in time and countered with a burst of flame, knocking the attacker down.
"Nice," Kei said, deactivating the slow-time effect. He wanted her to fight on her own—to earn the kill.
One by one, the bandits fell.
Suddenly, the ground shook.
A black portal ripped open near the campfire. A tall figure in dark armor stepped out, holding twin swords coated in shadow.
> Name: Shadow Enforcer
Level: 100
Status: Artificial Boss – Spawned by Admin
Lira gasped. "W-What is that?!"
Kei smiled calmly. "Your final test. You can do this."
The Enforcer moved fast—too fast for normal players. Lira struggled to keep up, barely dodging his attacks. She was strong, but no match on her own.
Kei tapped into the code again.
> Grant Buff: Flame Spirit's Blessing (+300% Magic Damage, +Fire Resistance)
Target: Lira
Her hands glowed red, and her next fireball exploded like a bomb, pushing the Enforcer back.
Kei folded his arms. "Now finish it."
Lira screamed and launched her strongest spell.
"[Inferno Lance]!"
The burning spear pierced the Enforcer's chest. The boss roared, collapsing into dust.
> LOOT DROPPED: Nightfang Dagger (Legendary)
Quest Complete
Lira fell to her knees, gasping. "I-I did it…"
Kei walked over and helped her up. "Told you. You're stronger than you think."
She stared at the dagger in her hand. "But that boss… That wasn't normal, was it?"
Kei smiled. "No. But nothing in this world is normal anymore."
---
That night, as they set up camp under the stars, Kei opened the system logs again.
> Unauthorized Code Detected – Growing at Abyssal Gate
Entity Signature: [Null User]
Message Logged: "You are not the only god here, Kei."
Kei's smile faded.
He wasn't just inside a game.
Someone—or something—was rewriting it with him.
This wasn't just his world anymore.
And the battle for control had already begun.
---
End of Chapter 2