"Ki-Yeon… Lee Ki-Yeon! Where are you?! Lee Ki-Yeon!"

"Where are you, damn it?! Lee Ki-Yeon! Can’t you hear me?!"

Ji-Hye noona was so immersed that she hadn't noticed them.

There was regret written all over her face.

Lee Ji-Hoo, whose mask had been destroyed, was frowning. He no longer looked like the crazy revenger at the time. Based on his lore, the reason he was acting that way was that he had lost someone precious to him.

He cared the most about Lee Ki-Yeon, and the reason he abandoned the woman he cared about more than his family was to protect her.

Although the story and character lore were a bit old-fashioned, it was surprising to see her perform such a perfect act that suited the story, which everyone loved.

‘She must be crazy.’

Still, I couldn’t help but think that it was too much.

"Lee Ki-Yeon… Ki-Yeon! Noona… please… noona!" Lee Ji-Hoo was yelling out his beloved's name in the middle of the desert, and black rain was falling down on him.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the romantic ended up crumbling down upon realizing what was important to him. He was desperate, and he'd sometimes fall to the ground while running around aimlessly.

He looked like a madman as he ran without any destination in mind.

He was

that

desperate.

True love had extinguished his burning quest for vengeance. He regretted his decision, and he worried about losing someone important to him again.

At some point, he started chasing after the love he truly cherished more than his personal quest for vengeance.

‘That’s not the problem here. How did these guys even get in here?’

[God of Sacrifice and Revival… they…]

‘How did they find this place in the first place?’

The three extras were standing awkwardly on the stage. One of them even looked so out of place that I questioned how he got invited to Laves in the first place.

Based on the continent’s standards, their stats were good enough for them to be called high-ranking adventurers, but they were nothing more than ordinary members of a major or mid-sized guild.

The lack of control over Laves had led these actors to this stage.

Basically, the play had suddenly changed into one that had audience participation.

“So… what do we do now, Alex? Can we just go back? Shouldn’t we notify the Continental Protection Management Committee or maybe the Blue Guild?” Kennen asked.

“I think that’s the best option, but…” Alex paused.

‘No, don’t do that. Don’t notify them. Things will get complicated if they find out. Things aren’t actually

that

bad here.’

“There’s nothing we can do on our own. If this black rain is falling right now because of that goddess, then we can't do anything about it. We’re just ordinary guys, Alex. It’s also just a coincidence that we reached this place in the first place,” Kennen said.

“...”

“This isn’t something we can take care of on our own. Damn it, the communication channel isn’t working. Let’s head out for now. I have a bad feeling about this place.

"What do you think, Alex? What about the emergency channel of the Continental Protection Management Committee? Shouldn’t that still work?” Kennen asked.

“I’m actually connecting to it right now,” Alex answered.

“Why did we even come here in the first place?” Kennen complained.

“There’s no such thing as a coincidence in this world, Kennen,” George chimed in.

“George? What are you talking about?” he asked.

“How can you say that we reached this place by chance? Everyone has their own role to play. Everything is connected. You may not realize it… but it’s possible that destiny has led us here,” George answered.

‘What the hell are you talking about, damn it? I never summoned guys like you.’

However, I couldn’t help but nod, as assigning them roles was the most reasonable thing to do here. They were now part of the play, after all. That was probably the reason Ji-Hye noona hadn't bothered to make any comments about them.

‘I think she’s telling me to give them roles.’

As I stared at Lee Ji-Hoo wandering around the streets, I realized what kind of roles would fit them.

[Help.]

“What the heck…” Alex mumbled.

[Help…]

“Did you hear that, Kennen?” Alex asked.

[Please… help.]

“I-Is it you? So… I mean… the goddess… I mean, angel—no, I mean… What do I call you… A demon… No, not a demon…” Alex muttered.

[Please… help.]

“P-Please hold on a moment. I was actually going to submit a rescue request…” Alex said.

‘No, don’t do that…'’

[Please… help him.]

I was sure scenes were popping up in their heads.

They could see Lee Ji-Hoo, a man desperately running across the desert beneath the pitch-black rain. He was crying while running for his life. I wasn’t sure how, but Lee Ki-Yeon was aware that Lee Ji-Hoo was coming this way.

She still felt betrayed and disappointed, but she also hoped for him to be safe and happy.

[Only… you three can do it, Guides of the Desert.]

‘Guides of the Desert. It has a nice ring to it.’

“Did you… lead us here? Can you explain this situation to us right now?” George asked.

‘I don’t know, man. How should I know how you guys ended up here?’

“If you’re really the one who caused this black rain… please don’t be nervous. The honorary cardinal will be here soon. He’ll rescue you soon. If you hold out just a little longer…” George said.

‘I’m the honorary cardinal, and I’m not going here.’

[No, this is your role. Please… before this power grows stronger…]

“...”

[Please help him.]

“...”

[While I’m still myself… take him… to a safe place…]

“...”

[

Heuk… heuuuk… heuk…

no. I… that’s not…]

“...”

[Hurry! As soon as possible—Hurry! I can no longer…]

The participants exchanged dumbfounded gazes.

[Sahaga… Find Sagaha’s gift.]

Upon realizing the severity of the situation, they turned around and ran toward the exit.

“Damn it… what the hell is going on? George, were you aware of this?” Alex asked.

“This is—”

“Kennen, how is it? Think you can find it?” Alex asked, interrupting George.

“It’s hard. Asking us to find a person in this large area… Even a skilled ranger will have a hard time doing that, so how am I supposed to pull that off? I’m just an ordinary warrior,” Kennen answered.

“It’s not like we don’t have any hints. The closer we get to that place, the heavier the rain becomes. If the scenes in our heads are real…” George trailed off.

“If you think about it that way… then he’s probably within three kilometers from this place. It would be easier to find him if there were a landmark or anything else. Anyway, who was that man? And why was she… Has Gela really possessed her? Hey, George, am I right?” Kennen asked.

“...”

“That’s none of our business, Kennen. Just focusing on our role is hard enough. One thing I’m sure of is that we need to help her. I can’t believe we’re doing this during our vacation…” Alex complained.

“Damn it… there’s always trouble whenever I hang out with you guys,” Alex added.

I saw the audience members moving quickly while chatting. It sure was difficult to track down Lee Ji-Hoo in the middle of such a vast desert using only the scenes I had briefly revealed to them, but they were doing better than I had expected.

They were moving based on those fragmented scenes.

And that was when black beasts rose up in the middle of the tempest…

“Kennen?” Alex said.

“I see it as well, Alex. It’s a good thing I brought my equipment. Prepare for battle, George,” Kennen said.

“Got it.”

‘The participants aren’t that bad.’

It was like watching an adventure movie. It had been a while since I saw such scenes, and the sight of it put me in a good mood…

“Break through them! They’re not that strong!” Kennen shouted.

“But I think they’re getting stronger…” George pointed out.

“Doesn’t it seem like their stats are increasing beneath this black rain? We can deal with them right now, but we’ll need the Blue Guild to help us a few hours later. We need to break through them as fast as possible, Kennen. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’m going to need you to fight harder than usual!” Alex requested.

“Damn it.

Ahhhhhhhh!

Take this! Y-You bastards of the goddess!” Kennen yelled.

The plan was to circle around the eye of the storm to find Lee Ji-Hoo, but it was nearly impossible to achieve. Even if they somehow managed to do it, they wouldn’t be able to find Lee Ji-Hoo, as he was constantly on the move. Thus, Gela had decided to summon these black beasts.

"We just need to change their directions little by little.’

We had to control the beasts so that they wouldn't notice that we were manipulating their movements.

“Break through them!” Kennen shouted.

“Run, Kennen!” Alex yelled.

“Just follow me, George! You’re watching behind us, right?” Alex asked.

“Don’t worry,” George answered.

“

Aaaargh!

Die already, you monsters! They’re not monsters we can kill in the first place! All we can do is slow them down!” Kennen yelled.

Their breathing was becoming heavier and heavier, but the audience members, who were swinging their swords at the beasts beneath the black rain, had no luxury to think about that.

They were fighting fiercely against the beasts, and the terrain was changing in real time due to the black rain. They had no idea whether they were taking the right path or not, and they also had no idea where they were going.

Just as they felt like they were approaching their limits, they finally saw hope.

“Noona… noona!” Lee Ji-Hoo shouted.

“Alex, do you see that?!” Kennen asked.

“I see it!” Alex answered.

“Damn it! It's those beasts! Faster!” Kennen shouted.

The Guides of the Desert carved a path in the middle of the tempest and finally encountered the man who had crossed the desert for a woman.

“Who… are you guys?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.

“We don’t have time to explain. W-We don’t really know what's going on, but we’re here to take you to a safe place,” Alex replied.

“What… kind of nonsense is that…” Lee Ji-Hoo mumbled.

“It’s true,” George said.

“...”

“...”

“Who sent you?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.

“It’s the goddess who created this black rain. We don’t exactly know her identity, but… as the Guides of the Desert—”

“Lee Ki-Yeon…?” Lee Ji-Hoo interrupted George.

“Excuse me?”

“W-Where is she?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.

“...”

“I’m asking where she is right now?!” Lee Ki-Hoo yelled.

“We don’t have time for this, Alex! Damn it! The beasts are coming! We should knock him out and take him away!” Kennen suggested.

“Do you know her well?” Alex asked.

“Take me to her. Please… I’ll pay you as much money as you want…” Lee Ji-Hoo begged.

“I don’t think we’re going to get through him. Alex! Let’s stop talking and—”

“Shut up, Kennen,” Alex interrupted.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kennen asked.

“I know this is going to sound crazy…” Alex paused.

“What is it?” Kennen asked.

“But I think we should take this man to

that

place,” Alex suggested.

It wasn't crazy. It was just a suggestion.

I looked away from them and turned...

“Miss Ki-Yeon?”

I saw the first guest looking at me in a daze.