This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

With only two fog clusters remaining, Rita activated Lonely Antenna Baby.

In an instant, Verdant Whisper · Windrush's expression turned sharp—and then she vanished!

She scanned the area, but BS-Rita was nowhere in sight.

By that time, Rita had already darted into the maze.

The occasional sounds of players echoed from nearby corners.

Rita cast the skill Away from Home, Identity is Self-Assigned.

Thanks to her collection of Block fragments from various players—parts that had once formed their bodies—she could now morph completely. Just like when she once used Nivalis's blood to become her, this wasn't mere disguise. It bypassed detection, mirrored the target's divine talent on her panel, and appeared utterly genuine.

It wasn't imitation—it was transformation.

The only limitation: she couldn't use those talents herself.

In the end, Rita discarded the idea of copying others. Instead, she chose to become Maple Syrup.

She hadn't yet seen Maple Syrup's Block form in Month Theme Park, so she did her best to imitate based on Pine Bloom's appearance: red-orange wings, long curly red hair, and a general aura of regality.

It wasn't perfect. She lacked Maple Syrup's blood, so it wasn't a full identity replacement. She couldn't use her divine gifts, and she'd be exposed easily in a fight.

But that wasn't the point.

She didn't intend to sneak through the entire maze disguised. This was about name recognition. Looking like Maple Syrup would reduce the odds of being attacked. Unlike when she appeared as herself—where any player she met would swing without hesitation.

Rita also activated Seven-Star Thunder Blade, generating a thunder spear identical to Maple Syrup's.

Orange-red wings. Identical weapon. Fluent in the gesture of Cheers.

Tell her she wasn't Maple Syrup.

Even if the real Maple Syrup showed up, she'd need a second to process the resemblance.

Only then did Rita cancel the antenna skill.

By that point, she had reached the top of a tall tree.

The Spring Labyrinth was scenic. Its walls were blooming hedges. Each corner featured a large tree, some flowering, some entwined with elemental vines.

Even from a treetop, she couldn't see past the flower walls. Flight wasn't banned, but an invisible ceiling blocked high ascents.

While she surveyed the maze, she also studied the tree she had climbed. The rules said map fragments were scattered throughout the maze—not likely lying in plain sight. They'd be tucked into complicated features.

She rustled through leaves and prodded the walls, staying in motion to avoid the three-minute penalty.

Players passed beneath her. Upon noticing someone above, most would glance up—then either move along or charge. About half chose to attack.

Rita was forced to use Lonely Antenna Baby again and again.

Each time took 3–5 seconds of casting, draining her mana. She wasn't sure how much longer her reserves would last.

After flipping through the leaves and scanning the floral wall, she felt something odd beneath her foot.

She moved her Blocked foot aside and crouched to pick up the stone she had been standing on.

Beneath it was a small green leaf—[Spring Labyrinth Map Fragment].

Rita nearly shouted, "Yahaha!"

She didn't immediately pick it up.

Because as soon as she saw the fragment, something clicked.

She had never considered becoming a map fragment—she had assumed the fragments would be Blocks, and transforming into one would leave her unable to reassemble or interact.

She couldn't become a white ship either. Players now knew that roadside "divine credentials" might be disguised players and avoided them.

But this leaf-like fragment? That opened doors.

Of course, she'd have to be smart. If no one picked her up in three minutes, she'd be penalized for standing still. She needed a trigger or a trap to bait someone quickly.

It was time to put Mysterious Power to work. Paired with Where's the Owl Already and Clock Reversal, she could reduce the seven-day cooldown and use it at least once more before this game ended.

Still... what if others could also transform into fragments?

She jabbed the leaf a few times with her thunder spear. No reaction. Then tried I Just Want to Improve So Badly. The skill failed.

Satisfied, Rita picked up the fragment.

The soft leaf vanished into her fingers, and she instinctively tested her Magician's Wisdom Tooth storage—it worked. Not a Block. It was safe to stow.

With that secured, it was time to enact the Mysterious Power plan.

Rita flew through the maze, wielding her thunder spear, using I Just Want to Improve So Badly on every player she encountered.

Map fragments couldn't be stolen. But Blocks could.

Once her HP hit 10%, she activated Try Killing Me Then, stole again, and dropped to 0%.

Mysterious Power, activated!

Only once her favorite skill was in play did Rita feel truly secure.

She cast Clock Reversal, halving the cooldown—just 3.5 days now. Her disguise skill would be ready again in 82 minutes.

Next step: find a chaotic battlefield.

…

Pine Bloom was mid-fight, dueling several players at once. She and Maple Syrup both excelled in AoE combat. Maple Syrup had burst and power, Pine Bloom had sustain.

As long as Pine Bloom could cycle her abilities, she wouldn't run dry on HP or mana. Even outnumbered, she held her ground confidently.

Rita perched on a nearby tree, watching for an opening.

The moment Pine Bloom began finishing off players, Rita planned to jump in, activate Lonely Antenna Baby, sneak in, grab a map fragment mid-chaos, and replace it with herself using Survive Until the End.

She spun her thunder spear in hand, quite pleased with the plan.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of a tree leaf drifting down onto the hedge behind her.

A map fragment.

That easy?

She glanced toward Pine Bloom—still locked in battle with three other Tier-15s. No time to waste.

Rita flew to the leaf, but didn't pick it up immediately.

Just like before, she poked it a few times, cast I Just Want to Improve So Badly—nothing happened.

Too convenient… almost like someone wanted her to find it.

But that just made her more intrigued. If it was bait, maybe she could locate whoever laid the trap and borrow the technique.

She used Chavez's Probe—no anomalies found.

Maybe she was just being paranoid.

With a hint of regret, Rita picked up the map leaf.

She turned to leave and resume watching Pine Bloom.

Less than two minutes later, she got a notification:

"You have lost a fragment of [Game Addict's Console] due to unknown interference."

Rita: !!!

"You have received 180 free attribute points as compensation."

Rita: ???

Who?! Who the hell just mugged me with a refund?!