[An NPC and A Player]

The Planet of Zarraf.

Or should I call it the world of [Call of the Black Magician]?

One of the action adventure based MMORPGs which people used to play a lot back in my past life.

It started as a single planet based Fantasy World MMO, where the users had the liberty to do whatever they wanted to do. Later on, as the new updates came, the game became more diverse as new hidden races and classes began to emerge on this planet.

Future updates included new monsters, new quests, stronger NPCs, and much more. Not only that, but expansions that unlocked new areas, including but not limited to the 12 moons orbiting this planet.

There were also space expansions, but that took place quite later into the game.

"And since I can recall all that information… is that the reason why I am seeing this?"

[You have gained information about the World Order!]

[New Privileges Unlocked!]

[You can now have limited access to the NPC System!]

[You can now have access to the World Updates!]

[You can now have a limited access to the Menu!]

Before checking the new features, I stepped into the caravan. Safety first!

[NPC System!]

[You have been granted the following privileges of an NPC!]

[1. You are now no longer bound by the Game System!]

[2. Unlocked at Beta Version 0.1!]

[3. Unlocked at Version 1.0!]

[4. Unlocked at Version 1.0!]

[5. Unlocked at Version 1.1!]

[6. Unlocked at Version 1.2!]

"Hmmm. Rather obsolete, I would say," I muttered as I wondered what it means to be not bound by the System? For once, it may be related to how players in Version 1.0 couldn't access Weapons, Quests, Classes, etc in Version 2.0 or further.

'I guess that's better than nothing,' I thought as I moved on to the next message.

[You can now have access to World Updates!]

[Currently the world is at Version 0.0!]

[Time before the world is updated to Version 0.1 : 5 Months: 29 Days: 23 Hours: 45 Minutes: 15 Seconds!]

[You don't have the authority to hasten or slow down the update time!]

"6 months before the game, huh?" I mumbled before I moved to the next one.

[You can now have limited access to the Menu!]

[1. Restart!]

[2. Save Points(Locked)!]

[3. Maps(Locked)!]

[4. Message Backlog(Locked)!]

[5. Forums(Locked)!]

[6. Friend Lists(Locked)!]

[7. Options(Locked)!]

[8. Extras(Locked)!]

[9. Cheat Codes(Locked)!]

[10. Credits(Locked)!]

[11. Logout(Locked)!]

"Umu. All I need is to reach the Cheat Codes and I will be measurabely happy ever after," I decided my goal for now. Though I wonder what's the point of credits here…

Luckily, it seems I remember the function of each option here and honestly, it is rather broken to be fair, especially for a player cum NPC like me…

"But still…" my eyes drifted into deep thought as I questioned,"what exactly is my purpose here?"

-BOOM!!!

I saw those men attacking again. Relentlessly, as they tried to get into the caravan. Each of them doing the same thing which they did last time. However…

"I can see their status now… is it also a privilege?" I muttered as I saw the lines above the head of those bandits.

[Name: Rivas

Class: Dual-Swordsmen!

Level: 47

HP: 10,000/10,000

MP: 2,500/2,500]

Not only their name, but I could see the numbers and the HP/MP bars in red and blue above their heads. Was it also a privilege of being free from the Game System?

If I remember currently, the players in the Beta Version didn't have access to the Stats of the NPCs, but it was later changed in the original launch.

Just like last time, I waited till the last 15 minutes and shouted at Mira the same thing which I did last time.

Same result, and we reached the same conclusion with Rivas and I. The only difference was the question this time.

"Why do you need this caravan?" I asked with slight curiosity. This information could very well be the way out of here.

Though Rivas contemplated as he looked at me. His eyes questioning whether to trust me or not.

"We have a quest. To kill everyone who is near this caravan without any question. Not to indulge in talking with anyone near the caravan and return the caravan back to the adventurer's guild," he spoke but… he is lying, isn't he? His expressions are all over the face.

'Or perhaps he is not speaking the complete truth,' I pondered, as I was unhappy with his response.

"How are you supposed to take this caravan back to the guild?" I asked again, this time with a half bored expression. If he was going to lie about it, then is there any worth asking these questions?

"We can only tell if you open the gate for us," he spoke again, this time with slight urgency as his eyes shifted between the mage who was observing the basilisk and I.

"But what if you harm me or kill me as soon as I open the gate?" I asked again.

"I vow in the name of my God, Arelia, that I won't harm you or kill you in any way until we reach our destination," he vowed immediately as a golden light appeared from the sky and entered into his body.

'The Unbreakable Vow, huh? I forgot NPCs have that privilege too… will I also get it?' I wondered about it.

"What about your friends here?" I asked and, though hesitant, under the silent gaze of Rivas, the others agreed to follow and vowed as well.

"Very well then. Let's open the gate to our friendship," I spoke cheerfully as I opened the gate to the caravan.

And then…

[You Have Died!]

[Game Over!]

[Restarting from Last Save Point!]

[Error! No Save Point Found!]

[Restarting from Start!]