The city of Lunaris stood majestically in the afternoon sun. Magic towers towered, reflecting the blue light from the magic stones floating at their peaks.
The streets were bustling with merchants, adventurers, and the aroma of warm bread wafted from the roadside shops.
"Welcome to Lunaris!" exclaimed Lira, the young, silver-blonde elf who now accompanied her.
"You'll need to register with the Adventurer's Guild first if you want to find work here."
Eve scanned the area around them.
["Temperature 26 degrees, humidity moderate. Magical activity in the vicinity: stable. I detect 417 armed individuals within a 300-meter radius. Safe."]
Arjuna smiled faintly. "It's like having a personal guide who always knows everything."
["I'm programmed to ensure your survival in optimal conditions."]
Lira looked at him in surprise. "You're talking to yourself again."
Arjuna turned and smiled slightly.
They walked toward the large building with the logo of a crossed sword and staff.
The double doors opened with a heavy thud, revealing a spacious room filled with a reception desk, a quest board, and adventurers in noisy armor chatting boisterously.
"Name?" asked the receptionist, a professional-looking, silver-haired woman.
"Arjuna Kusuma," she replied casually.
"Country of origin?"
She smiled slightly. "It's far from here. Very far."
The woman gave him a puzzled look, but continued. "Yes, prospective adventurer. To register, you must pass an entrance exam by defeating the Stone Golem we've prepared."
The exam arena opened. A two-meter-tall golem stood out of solid stone, its eyes glowing red. Its magical aura vibrated like heavy air pressure.
Lira whispered, "Be careful, Arjuna. It can shatter walls with a single blow."
Eve immediately appeared at Arjuna's side, her eyes glowing blue.
["Target analysis: Stone Golem. Very high physical defense. Weak point detected in the energy center of the lower chest. Recommendation: manipulate reality code to lower the defense parameter."]
Arjuna sighed softly. "Alright, Eve. Enter observation mode and deactivate the golem's defense."
["Command received. Lowering target's defense variable by 100%. Executing."]
Eve's gaze sharpened, her digital pupils spinning rapidly.
An instant later, the golem's body trembled. Fine cracks appeared on its surface, followed by a sharp crackling sound.
In a single breath, its entire body exploded into dust, as if disintegrating from within.
[Eve: Congratulations, Master. You have advanced to Level 6.]
[Eve: Total experience increased by +3,200 XP. You also receive additional rewards from the system: 1 set of green E-Rank gear and the title: Bronze Adventurer.]
Arjuna stared at the holographic notification that appeared in front of him.
"Gear? And… title?" he muttered softly.
A hologram of Eve appeared beside him, smiling slightly.
[Eve: Yes. This gear will increase your defense and attack speed by 8%. The title 'Bronze Adventurer' also opens access to beginner-level missions in the next city.]
Arjuna raised an eyebrow, still looking surprised. "I only defeated one golem, and I already got this much?"
[Eve: That's because the last attack completely destroyed its core.
The system counted it as Critical Annihilation.]
Arjuna smiled faintly. "So that's it, huh… good."
The room fell silent.
All eyes were on Arjuna.
Lira stared blankly. "W-What did you just do?"
Arjuna looked at his right hand. "Maybe it was beginner's luck."
["Lie detected. You are consciously altering the parameters of this world's objects."]
Eve remarked dryly, making Arjuna almost chuckle.
The Guild Master, a muscular man in black robes, stepped forward, stroking his beard.
"Young man, your power is strange. But my eyes tell me it's not just magic."
Arjuna gave him a flat look, but his smile was gentle. "I'm just… rewriting a bit of reality."
The Guild Master was silent for a moment, then laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Okay! From today on, you're an E-Rank adventurer! But I'll be keeping an eye on you, strange boy."
While the crowd cheered, Eve floated on his shoulder.
["Registration complete. Adventurer's license activated. Guild data linked to your system."]
The guild card in Arjuna's hand glowed a soft blue, signaling full activation.
He looked at Lira, who was still dumbfounded.
"I told you, I have some tricks up my sleeve."
Lira stared at him in disbelief, then chuckled. "You really are the strangest person I've ever met."
Several nearby adventurers whispered and glanced in his direction.
"That rookie who destroyed the golem with one move…"
"Who is he, really?"
Arjuna smiled faintly.
In the warm afternoon light, his and Eve's shadows stretched across the stone floor of the Lunaris Guild.
"This world," he said softly, "is truly starting to get interesting."
["And I will make sure you enjoy it, without limits, Master."]
Eve's blue light glowed softly, and the two figures stepped out of the guild door, followed by Lira, who eagerly carried her bow.
They left behind a buzz of whispers about the mysterious rookie who had silenced the receptionist with just a glance.
But for Arjuna, this was only the beginning of something bigger.
The dusk sky began to dim as the three figures left the guild.
Eve's blue light danced gently in the air, while Lira walked beside him, staring at the closed mission board.
"So… are we officially teammates now?" Lira asked, slightly awkward.
Arjuna glanced at her, a faint smile crossing his face. "If you don't mind working with someone unfamiliar with this world, that is."
Lira chuckled. "Heh, that would be fun! I can be your guide in the real world, and you can be mine… in your weird stuff."
["System recommendation: Forming a party will increase combat efficiency by 27%, Master."]
Eve appeared beside Arjuna in the form of a semi-transparent blue hologram, standing between them.
"Very well," Arjuna said calmly.
"Eve, create a new party."
["Command received. Creating party: ＜Eternal Link＞... Success. Members: Arjuna, Lira."]
Blue light circled the two of them for a moment, as if binding their fates.
Some time later, after leaving the guild, they decided to look for lodging.
However, every place they went had the same problem.
"Sorry, our rooms are always rented in pairs.
There are no separate rooms," said the fifth innkeeper.
Lira looked at Arjuna with a blush. "Don't tell me… we have to sleep in the same bed?"
Arjuna stared blankly at the price board. "Or sleep on the street with the night monsters. Which do you prefer?"
["System suggestion: The first option is more efficient and safer, Master."]
"Eve, that's not a neutral suggestion," Arjuna sighed.
["The system is simply stating the facts, Master."]
Finally, they gave in and rented a single room. It was small, with only a bed and an old sofa.
"Okay, you sleep on the bed. I'll be on the sofa," Arjuna said, setting his bag on the floor.
"Wait, that's not fair. The sofa is narrow!" Lira protested, her face slightly flushed.
Arjuna shrugged. "I'm used to sleeping worse than this."
["Master can use Auto Comfort mode to adjust your body temperature and sleep comfort."]
"No need, Eve," Arjuna muttered softly.
"Eh? Who are you talking to?" Lira asked, confused.
"Ah, no. I was just deep in thought," Arjuna replied quickly, trying to hide Eve's presence.
Lira frowned, but didn't inquire further.
The night passed peacefully. They ate a simple dinner, cooked together by Lira, chopping vegetables, and Arjuna cooking them over a low heat.
"I didn't think you could cook," Lira said with a smile, savoring the aroma of food filling the room.
Arjuna simply replied, "If you were hungry in the old world, you learned quickly."
["Master, the salt content exceeds the optimal limit by 3%. I suggest—"]
"Eve," Arjuna stared at his hologram. "Enjoy human cooking once in a while."
["...Yes, Master."]
Lira held back a chuckle. "You even scolded someone."
But the laughter soon stopped. Realizing that there had only been two people,
Her eyes widened… her body tensed.
"...A-Arjuna…" her voice trembled, "…what is that behind you?"
Arjuna turned her head for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Oh no…"
Behind her, a soft blue light began to glow, and a beautiful hologram figure with hair like waves of light gazed at Lira with a gentle expression.
["Good evening, Lira."]
The voice was clear, calm, and like the whisper of distant stars.
Lira suddenly stood up and took a half step back. "W-what… who are you?! Arjuna, are you carrying a spirit?!"
"Calm down," Arjuna quickly reassured her. "She's not a spirit… she's Eve—a system that always accompanies me."
["Exactly, Master."]
Eve smiled slightly, then looked at Lira gently.
["I'm sorry if you've startled me, Lira. Normally, only Master can see and hear me. However, I deliberately lowered the visualization limit so you can interact with us… temporarily."]
Lira swallowed. "Y-you speak like a human… but your body… is light…"
Her eyes stared at Eve, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Eve isn't a living being," Arjuna explained slowly. "She's a system, something like an artificial being that lives inside my mind. I can communicate with her, requesting data, strategies, or any information."
["More precisely, I'm an exclusive support system directly connected to Master's soul,"] Eve continued, bowing her head slightly toward Lira.
["My job is to support Master's journey and growth in this world."]
Lira remained silent for a moment, trying to process everything.
"So… you have some kind of… artificial being? One that lives inside you?"
Arjuna nodded slowly. "That's it. When I first arrived in this world, it was Eve who saved me. Without her, I might have died from the attack of that strange slime."
["Master is exaggerating,"] Eve said in a flat tone but with a slightly holographic blush.
["But I admit my contribution was quite significant."]
Arjuna sighed. "You see for yourself. Sometimes she's like a real person."
Lira finally smiled faintly, her fear slowly evaporating. "I… I understand now. But why did you let me see it?"
Eve intertwined her fingers of light in front of her.
["Because you are now Master's companion. As the first party member, it is important for you to know some of the truth about Master's powers."]
Her tone was gentle, yet authoritative.
"So you showed up on purpose, huh?" Arjuna asked, looking at Eve with a half-annoyed expression.
["Yes, Master. I detected a 12% increase in trust and emotional attachment between the two of you. That meets the safe parameters for expanding my visual access."]
"Eve…" Arjuna rubbed his face. "You even calculated our feelings?"
["Data analysis is just part of my job, Master."]
Eve's tone sounded innocent, but Lira couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"I think your system has quite a… unique personality," she said, now more relaxed.
["Thank you, Lira. I take that as a compliment."]
Eve bowed lightly with a gentle smile, making the atmosphere between them warm and intimate.
Arjuna looked at them both in turn and then smiled slightly. "Then, from now on… we're officially a team, not just on paper."
Lira nodded. "Yes, Arjuna. And… Eve."
["You can just call me Eve."]
That night witnessed the beginning of a new bond.
Eve's hologram slowly dimmed, once again visible only to Arjuna.
But from that moment on, something changed between them—no longer awkward, but warm and filled with a newfound trust.
After finishing the meal and eating together, drowsiness began to claim them both, and Lira returned to her room, while Arjuna curled up and fell asleep on the sofa.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the bedroom curtains. Eve was already active.
["Good morning, Master. Your sleep time: 5 hours and 42 minutes. Recovery efficiency 94%. I recommend a nutritious breakfast before your activities."]
Arjuna woke slowly, looking at Lira, who was still asleep in bed. The girl's breathing was steady, her face peaceful in sleep.
"Let her sleep a little longer," she said softly.
With her food supplies running low, she then walked out of the room and headed to the nearby market, selling the crystal rabbit horn she had hunted yesterday for some silver.
"This market is quite busy," she muttered.
["Local economic analysis: food prices have risen 7% this week. I'll help you bargain, Master?"]
"No need, Eve. I can handle it myself."
["Okay, but if you're being scammed, I'll mark the seller in the system."]
Arjuna smiled slightly. "As you wish."
After shopping, he returned to the inn with the kitchen ingredients in hand. Lira was still asleep.
"Still not waking up, huh..."
["Recommendation: The smell of food can act as a natural alarm clock, Master."]
Arjuna nodded. "Good idea."
He began to cook slowly, letting the aroma of the warm soup fill the room.
Soon, Lira stirred slightly and opened her eyes.
"Hm... smells good... Arjuna?"
"Morning, finally up. If we're late, this stuff will get cold."
Lira got up, rubbing her eyes. "You really are a good husband."
Arjuna nearly choked. "Don't joke around so early in the morning."
["Lira's statement triggered an emotional reaction, Master. Heart rate increased by 12%. Do I need to lower the room temperature?"]
"No need, Eve," Arjuna replied quickly. Lira just laughed.
After breakfast, the two of them tidied up their room and prepared to leave.
"So, today we begin our first adventure, huh?" Lira said excitedly.
Arjuna looked out the window, watching the sun slowly rise above the guild tower. "Yes.
Let's start writing our little history in this world."
["New quests are available on the Lunaris Guild board. I've marked a few that suit Master and Lira's abilities."]
"Okay, Eve. Lead us there."
["With pleasure, Master."]
The streets were starting to bustle with low-rank adventurers vying for the easiest missions before noon.
Amidst the crowd, Arjuna and Lira stood in front of a large wooden board covered in sticky notes.
Lira pointed to one. "This looks like it would suit us."
The note swayed in the breeze.
Quest: Expel Bandits in the Western Forest
Reward: 3 silver coins
Level: E-Rank
"A light quest for beginners," Lira said with a confident smile.
Arjuna nodded faintly. "Light… if there aren't any hidden bugs."
Eve appeared to his right, floating like a translucent blue hologram. Her silver-white hair swayed gently in the digital breeze that only Arjuna and Lira could sense.
["Initial analysis: threat level 17%. However, anomalies were detected in the previous report data. Two E-Rank teams failed to complete this quest in the past two weeks."]
"So… their version of 'light' is a little different." Arjuna touched the holographic board in front of him, pressing the accept quest symbol that only he could see.
The Eternal System symbol spun for a moment, then confirmed the mission acceptance.
Their journey took almost half a day. The rocky path leading to the Western Forest was covered in thick roots and leaves.
Birds flew about, but their sounds gradually faded the deeper they went.
"Why does it feel so… quiet?" Lira muttered, gripping her bow tighter.
["Sound sensors indicate low activity. Living creature presence has decreased by 84% compared to normal areas."]
"In other words," Arjuna replied, "something has made them leave."
Once they passed through the final trees, the bandit camp, which should have been chaotic, seemed… too orderly.
The tents were neatly arranged. A campfire burned softly. A dozen sturdy men sat silently facing the ground, their faces expressionless, as if soulless.
Lira straightened, ready to fire. "They're not attacking?"
Arjuna stared at them for a long moment, his pupils turning a fiery blue. He opened the Eternal Console in his mind. A string of data lines lined up in the air before his eyes, like a living computer screen.
Class: Human Soldier (Exiled)
Tag: Criminal (Injected)
Status: Controlled
Arjuna frowned. "They're not bandits."
["Confirmation analysis. Modified ethical chip detected. System injection outside the Eternal Core's control."]
Lira looked at him in confusion. "You mean they're… controlled?"
"Yes." Arjuna looked at the nearest man, then typed in the air.
/entity.tag("Criminal") = null
Instantly, the red light in the man's eyes went out.
He staggered, then fell to his knees. "I-I… where am I? What happened to me…?"
One by one, Arjuna removed the "Criminal" tag from each soldier.
The red light that had filled the forest gradually faded away. The sounds of sobs, gasps, and cries of relief rang out.
They hugged each other like people who had just emerged from hell.
Lira stared wide-eyed. "Arjuna… did you just… heal a human mind?"
Arjuna looked at her calmly. "No. I simply deleted the wrong line of code."
["Your actions violate the local system rules, Master."]
"I know, Eve. But sometimes… a small bug can save many lives."
Eve stared at him, then smiled softly.
["As usual, you prioritize empathy over logic. That's why I'm staying by your side."]
After ensuring all the "bandits" were conscious and safe, they led the group back to the Lunaris Guild.
The city streets were filled with strange whispers as dozens of former bandits lined up with confused faces.
But once the report was handed in, the guild's atmosphere changed. The same receptionist stared at them coldly.
"The system data indicates they are still criminals," she said flatly.
"What?" Lira denied vehemently. "We witnessed them regain consciousness! They were victims of system manipulation!"
But the holographic screen on the guild table showed something different.
< [Entity Log: Tag Criminal = TRUE]
[Reformation Status = Invalid Data]
The Guild Master emerged from the back room, a man with gray hair and a black robe who exuded an aura of power.
His gaze was cold. "I don't know what tricks you're using, brat, but the system can't be fooled."
Arjuna stared at him silently, his blue pupils glowing softly. He didn't speak.
He simply noticed… something surrounding the man—a thin layer of energy like a digital web that only Arjuna and Eve could see.
["Master… that man's aura has an identical code structure to the previous injection anomaly."]
"So it's true," Arjuna whispered. "Someone is playing at the system level too."
Lira looked at Arjuna anxiously. "What do you mean?"
"This guild… isn't as clean as they think."
The Guild Master tapped the table. "Let them out."
Two guards approached them.
Lira stiffened, but Arjuna just patted her shoulder lightly.
"There's no need to make a fuss. I already know enough."
If we stay still."
The night sky in Lunaris was dark, illuminated by the blue crystal light from the central tower.
Arjuna walked quickly through the narrow hallway behind the guild, accompanied by Eve, who projected a holographic map into the air.
["The entrance to the basement is located behind the document storage area. Official access is locked, but I can open it in three seconds."]
"Do it."
The metal lock turned with a soft click, and the door opened, revealing a staircase leading down into the dark underground.
A humid air greeted them. Eve's thin blue light illuminated the walls, which were lined with glowing cables.
At the far end of the room stood a large crystal pillar with system symbols engraved on its surface.
Eve whispered softly.
["Master… this is no ordinary structure. This is the local root of the world."]
Arjuna stared at the pillar, his pupils glowing intensely. "So this is… the city's control core."
But before he could get any closer, a deep voice echoed through the air.
"You were a fool to come here, Operator."
From behind the pillar emerged the figure of a man in a black suit, with one eye glowing red and a metal chip embedded in his temple.
"Admin #02," Arjuna muttered.
The man smiled coldly. "This world doesn't need the likes of you. We maintain its balance."
["Master, the energy is rising!"]
Arjuna stared at the man, then said quietly, "Unfortunately, I don't believe in a balance built on lies."
Blue and red energy pulses clashed in the air, igniting system symbols around the room.
The first clash was invisible to the naked eye. Two streams of blue and red data collided, generating a shockwave that cracked the stone floor.
Eve hovered behind Arjuna, sending full system support.
["System synchronization 98%… connection stable."]
"Good." Arjuna waved his hand, and a command line appeared in the air like a spell.
/defense.protocol("Reflection")
The enemy's data attack bounced back, destroying several cables in the ceiling.
The man smiled sarcastically. "You have no idea what you're up against, Operator from the outside world."
Arjuna glared at him. "It's precisely because I'm from the outside that I can see the corruption you're hiding."
The next burst of energy shook the room. The crystal pillars vibrated violently, igniting runes throughout the city.
["Master! The excess energy is triggering the city's security system. We must retreat!"]
Arjuna stared at his opponent, then said quietly,
"This fight isn't over. But now… is not the time."
He pulled Lira back, opening a small blue portal from the holographic matrix.
In an instant, they vanished in a flash of data light, leaving the partially destroyed room behind.
They reappeared on the roof of the inn, buffeted by the night breeze. Eve knelt in midair, her breath, though not real, panting softly.
["System synchronization has decreased by 22%. I need time to stabilize, Master."]
"Take all the time you need." Arjuna stared up at the guild tower, now glowing red, indicating active alert.
Lira held her bow with trembling hands.
"That… what exactly happened?"
"A game far bigger than an E-Rank quest," Arjuna replied calmly.
"There is another entity with system rights like mine. And she has only just begun her journey."
Eve gazed at him with soft blue eyes.
["What is your next move, Master?"]
Arjuna smiled faintly, gazing at the moon hanging over the city.
"Rewriting the rules of the game."
Eve's blue light reflected in his eyes, as if carving a promise into that night—a promise that whatever secrets lay hidden behind this world's systems, Arjuna would uncover them one by one.