The smell of the capital's sewers was exactly what I expected: damp stone, rotting waste, and the metallic tang of stagnant mana. Most players in Emerald Hearts hated this map. It was a "transition zone"—boring, linear, and filled with annoying Slime mobs.
But as a speedrunner, I saw the sewers differently. I saw a playground of Collision Errors.
> [Current Location: The Royal Under-Vaults (Sub-Level 1)]
> [Current Objective: Escape the Capital Without Getting Caught]
>
"Barnaby said Alaric went this way," I muttered, pulling the hood of my Shadow Weaver cloak tighter. "Which means he's taking the 'intended' route. I'll take the shortcut."
I didn't follow the main path. Instead, I walked toward a solid brick wall near a leaking pipe. In the game's code, this specific corner had a "Z-axis overlap." If you sprinted at it at a 45-degree angle while jumping...
"Three, two, one... Clip!"
I lunged forward, hitting the corner with my shoulder.
> [Warning: Physics Engine Desync Detected!]
> [Status: Glitched (Clipping)]
>
My vision blurred for a second as my character model passed through the solid stone. On the other side was a "Void Space"—a black, unfinished area of the game world where the developers hadn't bothered to put textures. I was walking on air, looking down at the sewer tunnels below me like a bird.
From up here, I could see Alaric's glowing blue Affection/Hostility marker moving through the tunnels. He was currently fighting a pack of Cesspool Rats.
"Have fun with the grind, Prince Charming," I smirked.
I "walked" across the void, bypassing three miles of tunnels in roughly thirty seconds. I stopped when I saw a golden light glimmering in a hidden room far below the void floor.
"There it is. The first Hidden Treasure."
In the lore, this was the [Drowned Duke's Secret Stash]. It was supposed to be guarded by a Level 20 Skeleton Boss. But if I dropped in from the ceiling...
I stepped off the void ledge.
> [Estimated Fall Damage: 4,000 HP]
> [Current HP: 150]
>
"Not if I reset the fall-timer!"
Just before I hit the ground, I activated Shadow Step.
> [Skill Activated: 'Shadow Step']
>
I blinked a few inches forward, effectively resetting the game's calculation of how far I had fallen. I landed softly on my feet in the middle of a room filled with gold coins and one very confused-looking Skeleton.
[Skeleton Guardian (Level 20)]
Status: [Calculating Aggro...]
"Too late, Mr. Bones!" I shouted.
I didn't even draw a weapon. I ran past him—my AGI 45 making me look like a blur—and snatched the item from the central pedestal.
> [ITEM ACQUIRED: 'Skeleton Key of the Damned' (Epic Grade)]
> [Effect: Can open any locked door below Level 50. No cooldown.]
>
"Rattle that!" I tossed a fake peace sign at the Skeleton as I sprinted toward the exit.
Suddenly, the wall behind me exploded.
A wave of silver mana tore through the stone. Alaric stepped through the dust, his cape torn and his face smeared with soot. He looked like he'd been through hell. Then he saw me—clean, dry, and holding a legendary key.
"How..." Alaric gasped, his chest heaving. "How are you already here?! I took the fastest path! I used my fastest steed to reach the entrance!"
I looked at the Skeleton Guardian, who was now turning its attention toward the Prince.
"Alaric, honey, you're playing a RPG," I said, backing toward the door. "I'm playing a sandbox simulator. We are not the same."
I slammed the Skeleton Key into the heavy iron exit door. It clicked open instantly.
> [Affection: -40] → [-35]
> [Status: 'Obsessed' (The Prince is wondering how you keep cheating)]
>
"Seraphina! Wait!" he yelled, but the Skeleton Boss had finally finished its "Awakening" animation and swung a massive rusty axe at him.
"Good luck with the loot drops!" I waved and slammed the door shut, locking it from the other side.
I emerged from a manhole cover in the middle of the Commoners' District. The sun was starting to rise over the capital walls. I had the Prince's gold, an Ancient Ring, a Hidden Class, and a Master Key.
Now, I just needed a new face.
I pulled up my System Window and looked at the Class Advancement tab. There was a sub-menu flickering in the corner: [Character Customization: Glitch Mode].
"Let's see... if I change my hair color and eye shape, the NPCs won't recognize me, but the 'Male Leads' will still feel a 'strange familiarity' because of the plot-bond."
I clicked [Apply Changes].