Survivor 1

[How can a prince be so cruel to his fiancée?! Have you fallen under the spell of that fox?!]

Even through the computer screen, the voice actor's passionate performance struck a chord in my heart.

"Why on earth am I playing this game…."

It's a romance simulation game for women called "Beneath the Chandelier."

Normally, as a guy, I wouldn't have any reason to play this game. There are so many games out there, and I wouldn't choose one that's so far from my interests.

It all started with an unexpected suggestion from the nuisance at home, who even forgot my birthday.

"Brother, do you want some chicken?"

Free chicken clouds one's judgment. I only realized something was fishy after I had already started eating the chicken she ordered for me.

"What's up with you? Buying me something like this."

"No, you're good at games, right? There's this game I'm playing, but it's kind of hard. Could you beat it for me?"

My sister's eyes were fixed on the chicken leg I had just started eating.

Figures. She's not the type to buy me something for nothing.

"Fine. How hard can it be? Just give me the account and password."

I agreed without much thought. There was already the bribe in my stomach, and I thought, how hard could it be? And then.

Two nights later, without moving from my spot, I quietly marveled.

"I actually like this stuff."

I discovered an unexpected taste. Honestly, this game was close to being a flop.

What's important in game design? Understanding the target audience's needs.

For RPGs, it's endless growth and corresponding content. For MOBA games, it's elements that add variability to the battlefield. For puzzle games, it's presenting problems that seem solvable but are deceptively challenging.

In a romance simulation game for women, it's obviously about touching the player's heart with a compelling narrative.

"In that sense, 'Beneath the Chandelier' is definitely a game the developers misunderstood."

On the surface, it's a typical romance fantasy story found in such games, where the protagonist, under various difficult conditions, finds love with the male lead chosen by the player.

But unlike typical simulation games where you build relationships through choices, this game required battling antagonists to progress the story.

And the battles were tough.

Not just tough, but insanely hard, enough to make even average players drop out!

The battle system wasn't just turn-based with text; it was real-time action with difficulty levels rivaling Souls-like games.

It seemed like the developers might have misunderstood the genre they were selling.

Even game review channels ironically focused more on the difficulty than the story.

"But I actually like it."

For a hardcore gamer like me, it was more appealing.

I could enjoy the challenge of tough opponents and at the same time concentrate on the well-crafted story. And if I could just beat it, I'd be the first to earn the title!

[…I was born to blue blood, and I've lived benefiting from it. It's only natural that I bear its weight.]

My favorite character was Luciana Speda, who was actually an antagonist.

Although she was a villainess in conflict with the protagonist, her exclusive illustrations and 3D graphics, with silver hair tinged with blue and eyes like deep sapphires, were breathtaking.

"The story was memorable too."

A character embodying high pride, noble honor, and even noblesse oblige.

A noble lady who spent her life as the prince's fiancée, making sure not to disgrace her family.

[Still chasing after the prince, are you? It would be wise for a commoner to know her place.]

Her cold, venomous words when she threw wine at the player captivated me. A mix of loyalty to her family and love for the prince.

But unfortunately, she was just a mid-boss, the villainess Luciana.

The corrupted mid-boss was a tough opponent. It took several tries before I finally defeated her. And a few days later.

"I actually had fun playing this."

I stretched as the ending credits rolled. Every bone in my body ached.

I had almost played through till the next day but just barely managed to defeat the final boss and see the good ending.

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and tapped on my phone.

[I beat it.]

[And do you have a conscience? Covering this difficulty with just one chicken? The price doesn't match. I should charge you another chicken as a fee.]

[Send me a gift card by tomorrow. I've locked the account, so don't even dream about seeing the ending before sending it.]

After sending a message demanding fair compensation to my sister, who was probably sound asleep…

I also lay down.

'There's a group project due tomorrow, but it's 4 am now, so if I wake up by lunchtime, I should be able to finish it, right...?'

My consciousness faded into sleep, overwhelmed by fatigue.

***

But I never had to submit that assignment.

Nor did I have to face the professor's scolding or get an F.

When I woke up intending to work on it, I found myself in a completely different world.

"Master Hans is awake!"

"Who are you?"

"Master? Don't you remember me?"

"Get a doctor! Quick!"

* * *

I sighed as I recalled my bewildering first encounter in this other world.

'But what could I do?'

Any modern person who values privacy would find it awkward to wake up surrounded by people, especially if they were dressed in old-fashioned clothes.

If I had continued to suffer from amnesia, the servants serving me might have been in big trouble.

Ah, but not losing their heads, just their positions.

"Master Hans, are you really okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Today, too, I waved my hand dismissively, sending the worried servants out of the room.

Fortunately, the memories of this body's original owner gradually came back to me, preventing any chaos.

But left alone, I stared at the map on the wall in quiet despair.

The moment I regained my memory, I realized the identity of this body.

The Byron family of the Manhett Empire, the third son, Hans Byron.

I was in the world of the last romance simulation game I played. A character so minor that his name wasn't even mentioned in the game.

That was who I had become.

"What in the world is going on?"

I frowned as I looked out the window.

Soldiers in armor patrolling, houses huddled together in the distance, chimneys spewing smoky fumes, and a vast desert beyond.

A typical medieval landscape.

Aren't usually avid readers or dedicated gamers the ones who end up in such worlds?

Wasn't my brief, substitute playthrough below the threshold?

– "Brother, aren't you eating?"

– "Son, are you gaming instead of sleeping?"

Well, I was passionate about it.

Thinking back, maybe my motivation fit the criteria after all.

I played more passionately than I thought. Although it was only for a few days, I saw the game through to the very end.

"I don't know…"

At least being a noble might be a saving grace.

Better to be a noble who can indulge in luxury and stay informed about the world than a commoner struggling day to day.

A few days into adjusting to this fantasy world and noble life…

"Master, the head of the family wishes to see you."

"My father?"

I closed the book I was reading and got up.

Master Byron, despite being a nobleman, didn't care much for etiquette and treated each other casually. Still, it was wise to respond promptly to a summons from the head of the family.

"Do you know what it's about?"

"I'm not sure. I was just ordered to bring you."

The baron's room, where the servant led me, wasn't much different from mine, except it was filled with paperwork.

"Have you arrived?"

Baron Byron looked tired, pressing his forehead under a pile of documents.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Need help?"

"Tch, no need. I wouldn't ask you to help, especially since you fainted a few days ago."

Baron Byron waved his hand dismissively.

"Besides, you're about to leave for service soon."

"Service?"

"Yes. It's time to be independent at fifteen."

"Ah…"

'It was to be expected.'

As the third son of the Byron family, my future was predetermined.

A share of the inheritance?

That was out of the question. Without enough funds to manage an estate, what would there be to give?

The declining Byron family had nothing more to offer the third son than a noble title and independence.

The ways of independence varied. If skilled in combat, one might join the army; if good at business, become part of a merchant's guild.

'I hope to find a comfortable and wealthy family to serve.'

In that sense, being appointed a servant by my family's arrangement was quite fortunate. It meant living under the protection of high nobility without going hungry.

"The Duke's family was looking for someone your age."

"But me, in such a position?"

"Cough. I put in a good word for you."

It was unexpected.

I, Hans, had thought I might end up as a prison guard, a common job in the West.

I sneakily glanced at the paper he was holding. Sure enough, it had details of criminals on it.

Even the head of the Byron family worked as a prison guard.

As it turns out, in this world, it's a normal duty for a noble's head to manage, punish, and track criminals.

Especially in the western part of the Manhett Empire, a very barren land.

Water?

Food resources?

None of that here.

Just scorching sun and rough sand.

Historically, this land was suitable for exile. Over time, as magic stone mines were discovered underground, even minor criminals were often imprisoned here for labor.

'And it's the Western nobles who manage them. Instead of farming estates, they receive magic stone mines from the emperor and live off the profits. I remember doing those Western food supply quests in the game.'

I nodded eagerly.

Being a servant in the Duke's house, a high-ranking prison guard of sorts, meant my work would be similar.

"Alright, pack up your essentials. You're in for a long journey."

"A long journey? The Duke's castle is just a short camel ride away."

"You're mistaken. Your new workplace isn't in the West. It's in the North."

"The North? The place with constant snow, rampant monsters, and never-ending wars due to demons eyeing the border?"

"Tch. You're getting carried away by rumors. But you're not entirely wrong. It's that North you're thinking of."

Father, you're just deciding this without even asking me?

And sending me to a completely unfamiliar territory?

"Thank you, Father! I won't forget this kindness, even in the distant Northern lands!"

"You're happy about that?"

I nodded enthusiastically, hiding my true feelings.

'As cold and monster-filled as the North may be, can it really be worse than the West?'

"Just sand and poisonous insects everywhere, scorching sun without a hint of breeze, and criminals whining about their innocence—"

"…"

"Did I say that out loud?"

His cold gaze made me shrink back in embarrassment.

Just thinking about managing the West was daunting enough, let alone experiencing it firsthand.

I love you, North. I pledge to honorably serve and perhaps even end my days there.

I might change my mind if it's too cold, but it's better than being a jailer here!

"Son, that's good to hear. After all, you'll be the personal servant of a lady of similar age in the noble family. You're quite lucky."

"Wait, what?"

Hold on a minute.

"Is the lady's name Luciana Speda?"

"Hm? How did you know? I was about to introduce her, but of course, she's a public figure. It's natural you'd know her name."

"Father…"

A sense of doom overwhelmed me.

In my head, I envisioned a guillotine. Luciana Speda was my favorite character, but in every route of the game, she was destined for downfall.

And being her personal servant meant I'd share some responsibility in her fate!

"Actually, the North is a bit… I really love my homeland—"

"By now, my letter should have reached the Speda Duke's family. I hope they take a liking to you."

Father, aren't nobles supposed to be slow and conservative? Why are you so efficiently blocking my future?

Before I could protest.

Transparent text appeared before my eyes, as if to prove his words.

[For the first time, a major original character has become aware of your existence.]

[You form a strong bond with 'Luciana Speda.']

[Luciana Speda's affection level is updated.]

[A main story is assigned to you. Meet 'Luciana Speda'.]