Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

The players dispersed like raindrops falling into the sea—small and indistinguishable amid the thousands of tourists. They quickly separated from the pioneers' convoy and began acting independently.

Dossoles boasted a well-developed tourism industry. Nearly half the city was filled with hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls. The players scattered in all directions. For them, this was like unlocking a brand-new map. After all, this was a mobile city—one they had only read about in the guides written by Magic ZX and Yang Yan XF. Now, for the first time, they were experiencing it firsthand.

It was an exhilarating moment. After successfully haggling with NPC hotel owners and securing their lodgings, many players immediately hit the streets, eager to learn more about the history of Bolívar and Dossoles. And if they could pick up a mission or two along the way, even better.

Some players, however, took a different path. Venturing into the slums, they lowered their moral alignment and embraced criminal behavior—stealing items, breaking into NPC houses to loot treasure chests for coins, and quickly attracting the attention of local law enforcement.

The players swiftly adapted to the city's sultry and vibrant atmosphere. Many updated their equipment for the first time in a while, switching into summer attire—either purchased in local shops or brought in advance. Male players donned light summer shirts, proudly showing off muscular physiques paired with beach shorts. Female players dazzled in a variety of swimsuits and shawls, creating a colorful display on the streets.

The first spark of online romance arrived sooner than Felix had expected. He remembered it well from his previous life—it began shortly after players gained access to the mobile city in version 2.0. With the ability to purchase trendy clothes from in-game stores, and with missions paying out thousands—sometimes tens of thousands—of LMDs, a shift began. As the saying goes: once you're well-fed and warm, other desires arise. And so, online romances began to bloom.

It started innocently—male and female players, dressed in stylish clothes and with custom avatars, strolling hand-in-hand through the streets. Gradually, these walks evolved into romantic relationships, and eventually, virtual marriages.

Marriage wasn't restricted by any system. Players could simply visit an NPC registration office, apply for a marriage certificate, and instantly become husband and wife. It was a simple process with no attribute bonuses, existing purely as a symbolic gesture—much like equipping a ring.

That summer marked the enthusiastic rise of virtual love. Male and female players, dressed in laid-back summer outfits, became more outgoing. Some bold male players began inviting female players out to shop and dine. Given their attractive avatars, rejections were rare. It could be said that this trend was a triumph for the face-customization crowd.

Of course, some players were naturally drawn to handsome or beautiful faces. Others, who were already friends in real life, used that connection to take things a step further.

However, this social wave didn't favor everyone. For players with social anxiety or those who preferred to play solo, this part of the game offered little appeal. Instead, they spent more time taking on story missions in Dossoles, exploring their neighborhoods, and gradually earning between one to five police stars.

Although the 150,000 players had disappeared into the crowd like stones sinking into the sea, they were far from alone—tourists from other countries continued to flood in. Before long, players began interacting with NPCs from these foreign lands. Some struck up negotiations, others turned to crime. A few even pulled NPCs straight out of their cars in broad daylight, slammed the doors shut, stepped on the gas, and launched into a wild reenactment of "The Ark Gives You Love."

Unbeknownst to him, Felix had somehow become both a matchmaker and a criminal mastermind in this chaotic, player-driven drama.

He drove a military truck straight to the grandest hotel in central Dossoles, exuding an air of unshakable confidence. Well, wealth does afford a certain freedom—but to be fair, there was nothing garish or nouveau riche about him.

It wasn't unusual for the wealthy to travel by military truck. The road to Dossoles was long, after all, and dragging a stretched Lincoln through the wilderness was just asking for engine failure and a cabin full of dust.

Felix tossed the keys to the waiting valet, a Perro, who greeted him at the entrance. Along with the keys, he handed over two Columbian gold vouchers.

"Please give it a wash. Thanks."

With a broad smile, the Perro accepted the vouchers with both hands, then happily drove the dust-covered vehicle away. Felix, meanwhile, led the group into the opulent lobby to begin the check-in process.

Given the size of their group, Felix booked a presidential suite without hesitation. Senomi, Mandragora, and Susie would share one room. Degenbrecher, Carnelian, Muelsyse, and Felix himself would take another. The suite came with an all-inclusive package: food and drinks were complimentary, a private vehicle was available for pick-up and drop-off, and even a luxury yacht was docked and ready for use.

All things considered, the service easily justified the cost of the suite.

To Felix, enjoying the journey was more important than pinching pennies. Several hotel staff members helped carry their luggage, escorting them to the elevator and straight up to the top floor.

"Wow... it's so beautiful."

The moment the door swung open, they were greeted by a massive living room—nearly the size of a small theater. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched a vast artificial sea, with the layered skyline of Dossoles glittering in the distance.

Senomi, Mandragora, and Susie rushed to the window, wide-eyed, releasing a chorus of awe-struck sounds.

As for the bedroom arrangements, there were no disputes. With ample space to go around, everyone found their place. Felix brought his own bags into the master bedroom, opened the balcony door, and took in the refreshing scent of the sea breeze.

In his previous life, he had visited Dossoles during the summer as a businessman, taking part in seasonal events. He couldn't recall the exact year, but he distinctly remembered how the city had been swarming with players—and how his products had sold out in just a few days.

No matter how rampant the crime or violence in the downtown districts of Dossoles, none of it ever touched the wealthy zones. Besides, with Degenbrecher as his bodyguard, Felix felt secure. After a brief moment of reflection, he decided to carry only light weapons.

---

The seaside view was mesmerizing. Senomi and Mandragora ran ahead, their faces glowing with joy. Susie held Felix's hand, gazing curiously at her surroundings.

"Be careful, don't run too fast~" Muelsyse called out gently, raising a hand to her mouth as she spoke. She held a parasol over her shoulder, clearly enjoying the environment. The sunshine suited her; she was thoroughly basking in it.

"I know~" the children responded in chorus.

Hearing their reply, Felix smiled and said, "The Dossoles Warrior Championship posters are everywhere. Are you interested in signing up?"

"What's the prize?" Carnelian asked. She tugged at her collar slightly—clearly regretting her wardrobe choice. She had underestimated the intensity of Dossoles's sun.

"The champion will be treated to a luxurious dinner and receive generous prizes from the mayor himself. The winner also gets the honor of operating the floodgate controls for the city," Felix read aloud from a tourist brochure he had picked up at the hotel entrance. He added, a bit underwhelmed, "Doesn't sound very motivating, does it?"

"Because you're not short of money, boss," Degenbrecher laughed. "Our idea of a generous prize would probably be a pile of Columbian gold tickets."

"So, you're not interested?"

"There's definitely more to this than just an official race…" Degenbrecher trailed off, scanning the area. "The vibe here kind of reminds me of the Kazimierz."

That remark caught Felix slightly off guard. Having experienced events in his previous life, he knew the Dossoles Dossoles Warrior Championship wasn't as clean as it appeared. While it was officially a sports event, there were plenty of shady dealings beneath the surface. Robbery, betrayal, and even "black eats black" situations were common.

Back then, players had often been ambushed by NPC-organized teams—some even sent by the mayor of Dossoles himself. It had been a mess.

But thinking about it now, it wasn't too surprising that Degenbrecher picked up on something. She had spent years in Kazimierz's Kawalerielki and was well-versed in such tactics. In a competition with no cap on participants and no strict rules for teams, corruption was all but inevitable.

Felix noticed a thin sheen of sweat forming on Degenbrecher's face. Carnelian, too, was fanning herself with a tourist brochure. One glance at their outfits, and he immediately understood the problem. Degenbrecher was still wearing the military uniform he had given her—while breathable, it was no match for the relentless sun. Carnelian was still dressed in her travel windbreaker, and under this heat, it was no surprise she looked close to melting.

He gave a small nod, then turned to Degenbrecher and Carnelian. "You two really not going to consider buying some clothes?"

Degenbrecher said nothing, but Carnelian was quick to surrender. "Ugh… I didn't expect Dossoles to be this hot during the holidays… Where's the nearest clothing store?"

The group, who had been strolling along the beach, turned a corner and entered a bustling shopping street. Felix and Muelsyse waited outside with the three little ones, while Degenbrecher and Carnelian stepped into a women's clothing boutique.

"Ah… I feel a bit bad having to rely on Felix to pay for everything all the time," Carnelian mumbled, rummaging through clothes on the rack, her short white curls bouncing slightly with her movements.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt—especially when thinking about the spending money Felix had handed her during the trip. Before meeting him, she was used to sleeping rough and traveling light. But now? She had been drawn into a world of luxury. From regular meals to generous pocket money, it almost felt like she was being… supported by Felix.

"Sister Degenbrecher, don't you want to talk about your boss?" Carnelian walked over and asked softly.

Degenbrecher gave a faint smile and shook her head. "The boss naturally has his own thoughts. Carnelian, I'm curious—do you plan to continue traveling in the future?"

"…I will."

Carnelian's feelings were conflicted. She wasn't foolish—she could see clearly that everyone in this small group was centered around Felix. In contrast, her past life had been that of a lone wanderer, traversing these lands on her own. In the future, she had planned to return to Sargon, carrying with her the knowledge and strength she had gathered, then pass it on to her tribe.

This had been the way of her ancient Sargonian tribe for generations.

"Do you think you can witness more by staying close to Felix?" Degenbrecher asked calmly, her golden eyes meeting Carnelian's red ones. "Do you think the technology he's mastered has the potential to change people's lives?"

"…Yes."

Carnelian nodded steadily. Ever since she learned that the drones were developed by Felix himself, she had been filled with admiration and curiosity toward this "little brother" who was two years younger than her. He was like an endless enigma. When he once mentioned owning a company in Columbia, Carnelian had assumed he was exaggerating—only to be completely proven wrong.

Of course, Felix had never ridiculed her for it… During her stay in Trimount, she had spoken little but observed much. She had taken in the city—wrapped in technology and bourgeois charm—hoping to find something worth bringing back home.

But in the end, she realized she could learn far more from Felix. He had always been someone who lived up to her expectations—and beyond.

"If you feel indebted to the boss, then why not become his helper?" Degenbrecher said plainly. "The boss is walking across this land of hardship. Naturally, he wants to make a name for himself. If you follow him, you'll see more, and you'll learn more."

Carnelian was silent for a moment. She wasn't the type to hesitate. Once she set her mind on something, her body naturally followed through. She had already been with Felix for months, was familiar with his personality and habits, and—most importantly—she got along well with the three little ones. Degenbrecher's cheerful and straightforward nature also made her easy to get along with. It was an ideal work environment. After all, choosing a job meant considering the work atmosphere, didn't it?

"I can."

"Glad to hear it."

Degenbrecher responded with a soft hum and continued picking out summer clothes as though the conversation had never taken place.

After a while, the two of them stepped out of the store dressed in fresh summer outfits. Degenbrecher wore a white dress adorned with light gray patterns. A long sword still hung at her waist. Her golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, glowing softly under the sunlight. The white fabric of the dress hugged her slender frame, fluttering lightly in the summer breeze as if dancing in rhythm with her blade. The hem flowed elegantly, accentuating her narrow waist and long, graceful legs.

Carnelian wore a stylish, revealing black crop top that showed off her toned brown skin, slender waist, and alluring curves—adding a touch of seductive charm to her overall look. Paired with it was a set of casual khaki shorts that accentuated her long legs. The combination of black and khaki was understated yet fashionable.

When the two women stepped out of the clothing store, they instantly drew the attention of many wealthy men and women passing by. Some of the women tightened their grip on the arms of their male companions, while others cast unfriendly glances. The men, meanwhile, looked at Felix with envy. The two Caprinae girls—one fair, one tan—each with graceful figures, made the Sankta man seem truly blessed.

Felix paid no mind to the stares. He was more than satisfied with their new outfits. Yes—changing clothes was essential. Just like buying skins for your favorite characters in a gacha game, a fresh look helped keep things interesting. Seeing the same outfit for too long could grow dull, but a wardrobe change always refreshed the eyes.

Giving them a thumbs-up, he commented, "Nice taste."

Senomi and Mandragora stepped up and took their hands. Smiling, Degenbrecher and Carnelian held theirs in return as the group continued shopping.

As the sky burned orange with the setting sun, Felix leaned against a railing, watching the scene before him. Senomi, Mandragora, and Susie were hopping around in sandals, laughing and playing on the beach. Degenbrecher and Carnelian stood nearby, keeping an eye on them.

He gave the railing a light pat and sighed. "If I build a mobile city someday, I want to create an artificial lake and improve the ecological environment."

"An artificial sea like the one here in Dossoles?" Muelsyse rolled her eyes. "Felix, building a mobile city is incredibly difficult. Not to mention where you'd even construct it… most countries probably wouldn't even recognize it. And it would take a ton of time to build…"

"It's just a small goal," Felix said with a smile. For now, building a mobile base seemed far more practical than starting a mobile city from scratch. He glanced over and noticed Muelsyse looking at his profile.

"Then let's fill the whole city with greenery."

"…Alright, it's settled~"