Mental Protector in the Apocalypse

‘It’s hard to believe that entering a game could be feasible.’

‘It seems like an impossible concept to comprehend.’

Recently, she had been indulging in gaming to the extent that it had become a recurring dream.

“…”

It seemed implausible, yet it felt like she was attempting to disregard reality without being aware of it.

‘Regain your composure and prioritize survival.’

Upon reflecting, she sensed a presence behind her.

“……!”

She was taken aback and swiftly turned to face the source of the noise. Upon doing so, she was stunned by what she beheld.

The game’s protagonist was not a zombie but rather a person.

She was astounded and momentarily forgot to inhale. The protagonist’s eyes resembled the depictions in the game.

It was a welcome sight to observe the primary character that the developers had put so much effort into after being exposed to nothing but grotesque zombies.

“Hey… are you a survivor?”

“…What? Oh, yes.”

Her vocalization sounded extraordinary. She had not heard his voice in the game. However, it was as satisfactory as she anticipated it to be.

“Now is not the moment to be idle. Let us enter the premises first.”

He abruptly grabbed her arm, and she was taken aback for a moment. However, she soon understood the reason for his action and proceeded to follow him. It became evident that he was fleeing from the zombies in the game. As she pursued him, she glanced back to observe a horde of zombies approaching from the front gate. It would have been a catastrophe if the protagonist had been taken away by them, given the impressive visuals of the character.

She pivoted her head to observe the protagonist running ahead of her. Her heart raced at the reality that she had encountered the character she admired. Still, simultaneously she desired to reject his hand and flee immediately, aware of the destiny he would confront.

Before she could react, he had already entered the premises and released his grip on her arm, expressing his apology.

“It’s okay.”

She had been uncertain whether this was a game or a dream, but now that she had observed the protagonist, it was clear that this was a game. What should she do next?

He possessed a unique aptitude. If he could access this, it would benefit his pursuit of success. Nevertheless, the issue was that he could only obtain it after conquering this challenge.

This individual was like herself, a typical person without any extraordinary talents…

He can regress.

“Sorry… Are you mad?”

“Your facial expression appears to be displeased.”

She is currently considering her next course of action.

“I apologize for my abruptness in bringing you here. I am relieved that you are not angry. I am uncertain as to why this situation has occurred. Can you provide any clarity?”

She chuckled nervously in response, feeling somewhat uneasy at the relief on his face. His unassuming demeanor contrasted with the more curious attitude she had been accustomed to until recently.

It was evident that this state of affairs would not persist for long due to his capacity for regression. He had experienced death multiple times, leading to a decline in his mental health.

“Would you care to accompany me? I believe it would be advantageous to have two people instead of one.”

“What? That’s a bit…”

She was taken aback by his unexpected proposal and inadvertently gave a response of refusal. He then appeared dejected and displayed a discouraged expression.

“Ah… If you are not interested, it is understandable. After all, it is difficult to build trust with someone you have just met…”

She believed he was attempting to conceal his emotions. However, they were too conspicuous on his face. She is sure this will fade with time.

“I apologize. It is not that I am not interested in your offer. It is just… I am perplexed by the circumstances and would like some time to consider it.”

She kindly declined his offer to ensure he would not be harmed. She further suggested that he proceed with caution and not trust anyone immediately.

“I must decline. However, I advise you to be wary when approaching others. It would be best if you were to go alone. I want to ensure your safety. I will be taking my leave now. I wish you the best.”

“Wait, just a moment…”

The protagonist recalled that they were to encounter the group of survivors descending to the first floor. Regardless of their prior location, it was inevitable that they would eventually come into contact with the survivors throughout the narrative.

Subsequently, the commencement of the pumpkin segment began. Initially, being in its presence was pleasant and agreeable; however…

What would happen if she allowed a few days to pass? She is eager to escape; however, her disguise could be compromised.