I'm Living as a Healer in Nord World - Chapter 4

Two days later, players gathered in the central square of Midgard. It was for the public address that would begin that morning.

The grand three-tiered fountain was surrounded by high-ranking members of battle guilds. Just in time, Lydian and Hern arrived, barely making it, and noticed a figure who casually leaped onto the top of the fountain.

“Who is that? His armor is so splendid. It’s too far to make out his info window. Even if we want to get closer, there are just too many people…”

“Judging by his position, it seems he’s the announcer, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, it’s ONE’s guild master!”

As soon as she nodded, a significant stir rippled through the crowd. Soon enough, Lydian’s guess proved correct as whispers of “Leon,” the guild master of ONE Guild, spread like a wave through the bustling crowd.

“Attention, please!”

With his raised hand and loud shout, the crowd instantly quieted. While everyone was exhausted and tense, his voice carried an undeniable command. It was the effect of ‘Amplifier,’ a skill exclusive to guild masters.

“Greetings, everyone. I am Leon, the guild master of ONE Guild. We have gathered here today to share the information each guild has gathered about the phenomenon we all experienced a month ago, to discuss our direction moving forward, and to strengthen our unity as players, ensuring our mutual survival in these circumstances.”

The previously quiet crowd stirred with low murmurs, yet no one dared make an uproar. All eyes remained fixed on Leon atop the fountain, somber and focused.

“First, I ask for your understanding that I stand here as a representative.”

With his respectful bow, people slowly began to nod in acknowledgment, almost as if mesmerized.

He was the top-ranking player in Nord World and the guild master of ONE, the number-one battle guild. His influence in Nord World was unmatched simply by ranking alone.

The gathered crowd soon accepted Leon as their representative. As the players refocused, Leon continued with his prepared speech.

“As you all likely realize, this place is ‘Nord World’, the virtual reality game we’ve all been playing. Unfortunately, we are far removed from the real world we’ve known. Essentially, we’re in a game world.”

At this stark confirmation, a few faint sobs emerged from here and there. Some scowled darkly.

“Though some debate whether this is a completely different world or simply virtual reality, we still lean toward the latter. Though in situations like this, even that distinction becomes blurred.”

The players’ eyes grew uneasy.

As Leon said, the idea that they were trapped in a virtual reality was more persuasive; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to use the game’s system. However, given the strange circumstances, no one could say for certain.

“One thing is certain: all of you here accepted the pre-registration event before being transported. The leading hypothesis is that a server error during this transfer disabled players’ customization and sensory features. This is the simplest explanation if we think of it as a server issue.”

A sigh escaped Lydian, unsettled. 

If this really was just a server malfunction, then surely the game company would be scrambling to fix it… But if not? What if, as Leon had mentioned earlier, it was the “other” case?

What if the players had been transported with real bodies to an unknown world?

What would we do then?

“Guild master, are you okay? You look a bit pale…”

“Ah… Sorry. I’m fine.”

Seeing Hern’s concerned gaze, Lydian quickly waved it off with a smile. She tried to act unaffected and turned her attention back to Leon, who was explaining this grim reality.

“Some of you may still struggle to accept this reality. However, we must acknowledge it. The game system is visible before us, and we can use our in-game skills here—this is the situation we must accept.”

Anyone still clinging to hope sank to their knees in despair.

Watching the despondent faces, Leon continued with a bitter expression.

“Yes, I know you may want to deny this. You may wish to go back. I feel the same. But, unfortunately, we currently have no means of returning to reality. As you know, all functions allowing outside contact, including phone linkage, are completely severed.”

“Dammit! What nonsense is that?! Didn’t you gather us because you found a way back?!”

Unable to contain his frustration, someone suddenly yelled out. But Leon’s icy stare was his only response.

“Then let me ask you this. Do you know of a way back?”

Under Leon’s sharp gaze, the man instantly fell silent. He had no argument against Leon’s words.

In the end, he lowered his head in silence. The rest of the players, who had stirred anxiously, followed suit. No one could answer Leon’s question or argue against him.

With a slight bow to the uneasy crowd, Leon apologized.

“I regret to begin with such disappointing news. But unfortunately, over the past week, despite all the high-ranking players pooling their knowledge and exploring, we’ve found no clues. We could wait, like in stories, for some mastermind or administrator to appear and explain everything.”

How long would that take? The players’ faces grew even darker.

“However, we must keep all possibilities open. If this is not a virtual space, we need to be prepared for that as well.”

Someone raised their hand with a question.

“Are you saying this situation may not be a technical issue at all?”

“Yes, that’s correct. While it’s easier to explain it as an error, there are still suspicious elements. One of those is the ‘Monster Invasion Event.’ You may remember blacking out the moment you accepted the pre-registration invitation for the festival, waking up here, where we’re trapped in what can only be described as a space we can’t define as real or virtual.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lydian and Hern exchanged grim looks. In the worst case, this miserable situation could be some deliberate scheme.

“However, there was no clear announcement about the event’s start, aside from a hint that it would be in winter. Does anyone here have any new information on this?”

A long silence followed. Gradually, desperate sighs and sobs emerged from scattered parts of the crowd.

Lydian and Hern’s faces also darkened. If this continued, they’d either have to wait helplessly or start searching for clues themselves.

In this perilous world where they could very well die.

“I understand that everyone here feels despair and pain. But we cannot afford to sit idly by. Fortunately, we are still alive. We cannot remain defenseless. This place is unlike the real world, and it constantly poses a threat to our lives. I, like all the ranking players gathered here, want us all to return safely to our original world.”

At his hopeful words, everyone looked up at Leon.

“We must survive. We have a reason to survive: to return to the world where our families and friends are waiting. Therefore, we need to learn more about this mysterious phenomenon and search for clues. Additionally, we must prepare for the unknown future that may soon threaten us.”

The murmurs of the crowd grew louder. Preparing? Was he talking about the event? What were they supposed to do? As the noise grew, Leon raised his voice further.

“Everyone. We must familiarize ourselves with and understand the system of this world as much as possible. By now, some of you may have already grasped the general mechanics. It resembles a game. Apart from the fact that we can’t log out and that pain feels as real as it would in reality, this world could easily be mistaken for a game. A few of you may have already experienced combat, and, consequently, might understand more than anyone else the severe issues at hand and the palpable fear arising from this situation.”

The atmosphere grew solemn.

As he mentioned, countless players had ventured into the field out of curiosity, only to escape in pain. Except for a few, most did not even know how to fight properly.

In the early stages, a handful of low-level players had recklessly challenged the monsters outside the city and returned, covered in blood. Since then, people have been reluctant to go out to the field. Rumors that one’s pain could be somewhat dulled by armor defense spread, albeit too late to ease the tense minds of the players.

No one with common sense would willingly endure pain and risk just to engage in battle.

“However, hiding in fear will not solve our situation. We need to grow accustomed to this world and become stronger, if only to prepare for the unknown challenges ahead.”

Leon’s voice resonated deeply.

He wasn’t wrong. But his words didn’t quite reach those players whose fear of pain had reached an extreme. To tell them to adapt to this world stirred unease in the hearts of those who struggled to even accept their current predicament.

As quiet sobbing began to echo here and there, Leon frowned slightly.

“I, along with the high-ranking members of the combat guild, hope for every player, each and every one of you, to return to our original world. To that end, the rankers will offer their full support. We’ll help you adapt to this world as efficiently as possible.”

Lydian, who had been listening in silence, nodded expressionlessly. Logically, Leon’s words made sense. They couldn’t afford to sink into despair. Like Hern beside her, it would be wiser to adapt to the system quickly.

Above all, having support from high-ranking players was a significant beacon of hope.

The thoughts of the players gathered in the square shifted rapidly. With the reassurance of high-level players, many faces brightened.

However, not everyone responded positively. Some players, for their own reasons, found Leon’s words disagreeable. Yet, at this moment, following his guidance was the prudent choice.

“Then… what happens if someone dies?”

A hand shot up, asking the question. The square fell silent as if doused in cold water. Everyone swallowed dryly. This was the question that had weighed on most people’s minds, though fear had kept them from voicing it.

Leon held his words for a moment. However, since more than a few players had ventured into the field, many already knew the answer.

With a light sigh, Leon responded.

“You will come back to life. You’ll respawn at the gate in the center of Midgard.”