Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

Lemuen chose to remain in Laterano.

But not forever.

"Felix, I can feel the resolve in your emotions."

It was an afternoon, just before Felix's departure from Laterano. He and Lemuen sat across from each other in a quiet café, speaking of what lay ahead.

"At first, I thought you would leave together with Andoain," Lemuen said softly. "Because in my perception, the two of you share the same emotions—the same worry for Laterano's present state, the same pity for the Terrans living on this land, and the same anger at the injustices of this world."

"But your choices were different."

As if to reassure him, she smiled with the warmth of an older sister—gentle, steady, comforting. "From your emotions, I sense warmth, conviction, and hope."

"You do still carry hope for the people of Terra, don't you?"

Felix traced his fingers against the rim of his cup. "I plan to establish my own force on this land."

"If you don't mind, could you tell me about it?"

Since Lemuen showed genuine curiosity, Felix gave her a simple outline of Tomorrow's Development—his plan, its system, its structure. Nothing too secret, just the kind of thing one could share between friends.

His time with Columbian scientists, his entrepreneurship and research at Rhine Lab—he glossed over those with a light touch. What he spoke of in detail was the vision for Tomorrow's Development.

Lemuen sipped at her hot cocoa as she listened quietly. She said nothing, but played the role of the perfect listener.

By the time both cups were empty, their talk had wound down.

"I see… so you want to harness the strength of adventurers. That's something neither the Notarial Hall's upper council nor the cardinals ever considered."

Resting her cheek against her hand, Lemuen nodded.

"When I filed my mission reports, I did mention the adaptability of adventurers and the possibilities for their future. But clearly, the higher-ups in the Notarial Hall didn't care."

Felix agreed. "In their eyes, adventurers are still too weak. Laterano stands alone, the only holy city on this land of suffering, and they believe it needs no outsiders."

"Looked at this way, Felix, your sense for business really is sharp."

Lemuen held his gaze. "Mostima told me she'll be leaving with you. And Fiammetta too, as her overseer."

"Mm." Felix nodded. "And you, Lemuen? The squad has already disbanded. What are your plans?"

"Is that your way of inviting me, Felix?"

"You could put it that way."

He answered seriously. "Not every Sankta gets the chance to see the world. But I believe opportunities are made, not given. If you have the will, you can always set out—take a journey whenever you choose."

"You certainly make it sound persuasive."

Lemuen sighed lightly. "Allow me to put off answering for now. Lemuel still has a year of studies left. After that—once she's independent—I might just accept your invitation."

"Good."

Hearing that, Felix couldn't help but feel a spark of genuine joy.

His bond with Lemuen had always been buffered by Mostima's presence, but after spending this time together, the two had become genuine friends. It was a connection that would last into the future.

Lemuen carried the title Silent Lemuen—a name that struck fear into her enemies when her sniper rifle echoed across the battlefield. Yet she was equally capable in her clerical duties. If one day she were to join Tomorrow's Development, she would be an enormous asset.

Before leaving Laterano, Felix said his farewells. He shared a meal at Lemuen's home and parted with Lemuel, whose reluctance to say goodbye was written all over her face. He stopped by Federico's house as well, chatting until Federico mentioned that some relatives had arrived—and that perhaps Felix might like to meet one of them.

Felix promptly slipped away.

Federico tilted his head in puzzlement, watching Felix wave from the balcony before leaping straight off it. "Why did he jump from there instead of walking out the door? Was he… saving time?"

Yes. From now on, he thought, this might be the best way to leave—shaves thirty seconds off the trip down the stairs.

"Ah, Federico, why are you staring at the balcony?"

"Senior Felix just left."

"From the balcony?"

A black-haired girl covered her mouth as she laughed softly. "Why not the front door? Could it be that he was shy?"

"Senior Felix's heartbeat was steady, his pupils consistent with a calm state, his tone even. No signs of embarrassment."

"…"

Arturia chose not to argue with him further, the corner of her lips curling instead.

"What an interesting person…"

Felix avoided a direct encounter with Arturia deliberately. He knew she'd try to rope him into some act for her own amusement, and who knew what chaos might follow. Better to keep it simple: leap off the balcony and be done with it.

His luggage was already packed. Unlike him, everyone else carried multiple suitcases stuffed with clothes for changing seasons.

This time, though, the mode of travel was different.

A truck wouldn't do anymore—not with this many people, let alone all their baggage.

So Felix bought a freight truck.

Yes, a full-sized cargo hauler, the kind used for long-distance shipping.

To him, it was familiar. In his past life, he had relied on just such a vehicle to make ends meet during the 2.0 era. Its massive capacity allowed players to turn the container into their own little homes, a place to sleep or eat whenever exhaustion hit on the road.

The first step after buying one was always the same: modification. That was where craftsman-players came in. With their help, a plain cargo truck could be rebuilt into something like an RV. Only then would players set out across the land, alone or with companions.

The number of people heading to Lungmen with Felix turned out to be larger than expected. After plenty of hammering and tinkering, he managed to build a livable space inside the truck—a dormitory that even had separate quarters for men and women.

Beyond the dormitory, the truck now housed his personal workshop, a weapon forge, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and most importantly, a defense system powered by his drones. If danger approached, Felix could launch drones directly from the truck to eliminate the threat.

And as a finishing touch, from Laterano's market he had acquired an old machine-gun turret. After repairing and upgrading it, he mounted it on the truck's roof.

Just like with the truck, Felix reinforced the truck's armor and layered it with a Arts defense shield. Even if the vehicle blundered straight into a mercenary battlefield in Kazdel, it could smash through and drive its way out.

Once all preparations were complete, Felix climbed into the driver's seat on a brisk February day, with spring just around the corner.

Mostima settled into the passenger seat. She patted the armrest of Felix's chair, then turned to the window and waved cheerfully at Lemuen outside.

Their friends had gathered to see them off.

Spuria nestled against Lemuen, recharging herself. Plume and Patia bid farewell to their fellow Laterano guards. Fiametta stood beside Lemuen, detached, as if she were only an onlooker.

"Safe travels, Senior Felix."

Federico was there as well.

Felix glanced around, relieved not to spot a certain black-haired girl in uniform. He smiled, stepping forward.

"If time permits, I'll come back for a visit. And once you're a full Executor, if the chance arises, come to Lungmen. We'll catch up properly then."

Federico nodded calmly.

Beside Lemuen stood Lemuel, circling the truck with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Wow, did you make this, Brother Felix?"

"The truck itself is stock. I just did a little reinforcement here and there."

"I see…"

But her excitement quickly faded. She didn't need empathy to be read—her expression gave her away immediately. Or perhaps it was simply that Lemuel never bothered to hide her feelings. Carefree and straightforward, her emotions had that simple Laterano innocence that made her so easy to understand.

"Brother Felix… after you and Mostima leave, when will you come back?"

Head bowed, her gaze fell to their shoes, side by side.

"…I don't know."

Felix couldn't give her a definite answer. His plan was to stay away from Laterano for quite some time. Mostima would be leaving with him, and Lemuen had promised to follow next year. Truth be told, he had no strong ties left here. Not even the Pope's "charm" was enough to make him want to return.

On Terra, only Yan and Laterano seemed fit for ordinary life.

Laterano especially—its streets offered simple joys, like jars of sweet candy. But how many people, once they'd tasted that sweetness, would willingly leave the warmth and comfort of the glass jar?

Yes, he could live happily here. No pressure. No suffering. No wars. He wouldn't wake to a city already fallen or a Catastrophe on the horizon. If Terra had one place where people could truly live out their days in peace, it was Laterano.

But Felix didn't want to live that way.

In his heart, he still saw himself as a player—chasing thrills, exploring the unknown, savoring the rush of battle, grinning at every crafting progress bar. That was the life he had always known in his past. This "game" was far too fun for him to sit on the sidelines.

As one dual-blade player once said: Watching others play an MMORPG is the most boring thing in the world.

Lemuel, sensing his silence, whispered softly.

"…So you're not coming back?"

"Who knows? But in the short term, no, I won't."

Felix ruffled her soft red hair.

"Don't overthink it. Focus on graduating church school first. I visited my old teachers, and they told me you caused thirty-nine explosions in a single year. Hm?"

Lemuel ducked her head, letting out an awkward laugh as the warmth of his hand lingered on her crown. Then, as if making up her mind, she looked up.

"Brother Felix, I have a request."

"Oh? What is it? Let's hear it."

Felix's lips curled into a grin.

He smelled something.

The scent of a personal quest.

In his past life, whenever an NPC said something like that, a bright yellow exclamation mark would pop up right above their head.

"Um… next year, I'll be an adult."

Lemuel stole a glance at Felix, then quickly averted her eyes. Her toes brushed circles on the ground as she fidgeted.

"Brother Felix… could you forge my guardian gun for me?"

[You have triggered a B-rank quest: Her Guardian Gun. Accept / Decline?]

[Quest Details: Lemuel has carefully approached you with her request. She wants you to forge a guardian gun for her. She is the younger sister of your comrade, a bright, sunny girl who loves to smile. Though her request may sound whimsical, she has been nurturing this wish for a long time. This gun will be her lifelong protector.]

[Quest Requirement: Forge a guardian gun meant solely for Lemuel.]

[Reward: 40,000 EXP]

[Special Reward: Unknown]

Felix eyed the quest prompt, then nodded—accepting it without hesitation.

Of course, he didn't forget to claim the reward from Mostima's earlier quest. The forty-thousand EXP flowed into his inventory, and he let out a long breath, as if regaining some lost HP.

This special reward wasn't like the affection increases from before. It didn't feel tied to NPC relationships—it felt more like an item.

What that item would be, he couldn't yet say. In Arknights, players often received wildly different items for the same kind of special reward. Felix wondered if maybe he should try rubbing shoulders with Senomi and Mandragora, to leech off a bit of their luck.

Seeing Felix agree, Lemuel's face lit up with joy. She stretched out her pinky with a grin.

"You have to keep your promise, okay?"

"How old are you again?"

"I'm not an adult yet."

Felix reached out and hooked her little finger, sealing the childish pinky swear.

Lemuel whispered, "My birthday's in December too. But I don't plan to hold my coming-of-age ceremony in Laterano."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll be going with my sister to visit you!"

Her cheeks flushed as she blurted out the words. She waved at Felix in a hurry and ran back toward her sister Lemuen.

If Lemuen came along, things would fall right in line with his past life's path—he could put her on logistics work. With her temperament, there was no way she'd be suited for quiet, focused tasks.

After saying his farewells, Felix returned to the truck's driver's seat. Waiting for him was Mostima, who had already finished her goodbyes with Lemuen. She leaned her head on one hand, smiling at him.

"Let's go."

"Yeah."

Through the monitor, Felix confirmed everyone in the truck's cabin was seated. Then he stepped on the ignition, and the heavy vehicle rolled steadily out of Laterano.

This time, who knew when—if ever—he would return.

"Oh, right," Mostima asked casually, "what did Lemuel want from you just now?"

"She asked me to forge her a guardian gun."

Felix's eyes flicked to the quest now glowing on his interface as he spoke.

"Ohhh… I see."

Mostima crossed her arms against the passenger seat, her smile tinged with playful mischief.