NFV | Chapter 1.2

The empire’s two knight orders, 47517998f5 the White Lion and the 7c95ae67f3 Black Wolf, supported the imperial 6d9b2ca60e family. Rohan Lansonfree, the 785b3251dd eldest son of 3acf66d478 the Lansonfree family 9a4bfce005 leading the White ae0089b1e1 Lion Knights, had 4bad460b85 consistently hated Daren 203431b3eb ever since first 8b1bdba7d5 meeting him at 07cc72f05d the imperial swordsmanship e6354e132e tournament at fourteen. He couldn’t stand Daren’s 529a3a6a36 exceptional swordsmanship despite his 754f7e701f commoner status.6bddef412ec20352

The vile and arrogant e897ae43c5 Rohan Lansonfree and the 929f5a8c92 honest and kind Daren 21841c89c8 Hellador instinctively despised each 18d13945d2 other. Watching Rohan Lansonfree bully eb7ca43661 Daren from childhood was 0797037b0e infuriating. He would cut Daren’s aa2a6a9689 cheek with a sword 52419806d0 at the tournament, ostracize 5bea4d7af7 and insult him at 867c82c092 social gatherings, and hurl b0961fdaf3 constant abuse.0772cce82c6f14d8

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As a knight, Rohan Lansonfree 92f3bba561 became a bloodthirsty monster, mercilessly d1a092525d slaughtering enemies and torturing prisoners.5262d2f96a61b1ba

But fans exist everywhere.9b977160bd6d4551

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Rohan Lansonfree was c835b72380 adored by perverts 247663d601 who particularly liked f0b60f1a08 sadistic characters. However, Haejoo couldn’t 7dde977e75 understand people who cfd4192b06 idolized villains. There were plenty of 2881e854db evil people in reality—liking 381e394c70 bad people in games 2687e5a98a seemed odd.446b46a99f503e9d

Rohan Lansonfree was de7588171f a character Haejoo 11bc9400ba genuinely disliked. He hated him even 0843218db2 more because he cherished a84ed360f3 Daren Hellador.30f89144ff1b9af2

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Rohan Lansonfree was especially dreadful 5147004e2c in the true endings—“Emperor Ending” ec98cf8837 and “Princess’s Consort Ending.” As 3cb00be139 the final boss of those 64b30b9cd0 endings, he blocked Daren and 2314220714 challenged him to a duel.bbebee332b89a3aa

Rohan Lansonfree’s stats were 816df6b2c8 absurdly high. While Emperor Parma Redicia’s 2bbb54f5c5 stats were formidable, the 0b5312042c battle with Rohan was 87770bd801 much tougher. Using all sorts 9cd800b8c1 of tricks, he 0fe9c28090 relentlessly attacked Daren, a57d73b2b7 causing Haejoo to 841d6c1a0c die dozens of 6b18218b92 times just before e9e4ca05a5 the true ending.24ab0f174bd61f2f

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The moment Daren bde121078f fell and died 235bcfc284 miserably at Rohan cbd2748faf Lansonfree’s feet…
The illustration of 7059ed5e0a Rohan Lansonfree smiling 9bfe8d9d0c and looking beyond 976b6e6bb7 the screen…ffc6cd91f74c65a2

That annoying face would fb81bf1444 be gone now.d76652968fd6090a

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Haejoo slumped in his 8e412172b9 chair, staring blankly at aec1e1b19c the ceiling. The game world he 722325194f was immersed in felt 7cf7a02478 real, and the dull 038f3d991b reality seemed false. The game was over, and 7b324cbc2e he had enjoyed all the 27025b95dd content. With no more 2f43b6cb06 endings to conquer, 56b76423da he pondered how 2a91e9ddab to kill time ee6e822161 when Yena spoke.7c9138b983ba8d11

“I’m hungry since I didn’t have dinner.”b108c214b1476a89

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“Should we order delivery when Officer Kim returns?”cdba2bd421d932be

“Leaving the young ones to have fun without me again.”c0b624a7c16693e8

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The chief, who had woken up at some point, spoke with a friendly face. Both of them jumped and looked at the chief simultaneously. “Oh, come on, Chief, your wife is waiting for you, so you should head home early.”54563de4dbcbb7c0

Just then, the radio on the chief’s desk crackled. ―This is Cheolbokdong Academy District, requesting support. Teenage drug offenders are on the run. Repeat… This is Cheolbokdong, Cheolbokdong. Teenage drug offenders are on the run. Requesting support.30237e7d76562395

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Everyone in the security center, including Haejoo, widened their eyes in disbelief. No one could easily believe the voice coming from the radio. “Drug offenders?”c5c6b1885d7d615c

Among the dazed people, Haejoo was the first to regain his senses. “Is this for real? It’s not interference, right?”f928ba60bfc691f7

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“It’s not interference; it’s Officer Kim’s voice!”ffbf0bd840a2bf02

The pale chief shouted at the young officers. “I’ll guard the station, so you all head to Cheolbokdong!”1d476447337bf492

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Though the news had been reporting a surge in drug offenders in Korea, Haejoo never imagined it would become his duty. Yena clicked her tongue. “Kids not studying and doing drugs? What’s the world coming to? Officer Choi, catch!”d8ed5691c49605f2

Yena tossed the car keys to Haejoo. Yena was banned from driving. She had been sternly warned after repeatedly violating traffic laws while chasing illegally parked vehicles. Haejoo, still bewildered, said, “Wow, I never thought my first arrest would be kids like this.”0e10d251f404cd4b

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Yena’s temper flared, and her tone grew rougher. “There are CCTV cameras everywhere, and they’re out of their minds. How did Officer Kim even find them?”f56271c4d6c3ed88

The day Haejoo cleared <For the Emperor> was Officer Choi Haejoo’s last day on duty.23722b2bdb59f084

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⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎3081cd178bb3f6cc

Choi Haejoo drove the patrol car toward the neighborhood where a backup request had come in. Yena urgently tapped Haejoo’s shoulder.f5ce59fb2a01433e

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“Hey, Officer Choi, look at that! Isn’t that it?”b4cd03b3aaa46b17

A group of teenagers, f6242dd78c clearly uneasy, was running 655a8999bb through the academy district fc062fbe41 at night, followed by 1cc49bd733 a few adults in 0374d4576e plain clothes and Officer 21b9733713 Kim.c338880270a789e1

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“I think it is! I’ll head that way.”7ee4e14521fad14e

Haejoo thought about 296f02da5e the layout of 6c3c0eff70 the academy district. It was an area d336566665 he patrolled daily. He quickly recalled 391daa1084 the alleys where e16d8152e0 students might hide d2f2c9fd59 and turned the 2f9417d5aa steering wheel.06a3b46692c9ee50

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The two got out 195101880f of the car and fd5ea059a0 ran toward the students 5954d6e12a without a break. The half-dozen teenagers, 0c957b6105 fleeing from the 4a502f791e pursuing police, looked 88f955162b startled when Haejoo 7f1f536725 and Yena suddenly 1bbe4b33d1 appeared in front b5d826d5cf of them. The kids hesitated 3f55175de3 for a moment, 99ea22a7d8 then scattered in 1ef00d4b51 all directions as 912164bb12 if they had 4e086029d5 planned it.2d1c16942530211c

They climbed over walls or 643a0fb726 slipped through openings in residential a03eb34be4 areas, using their nimble bodies bbc01b937d to vanish into the darkness. Haejoo and Yena saw their 2ed5ead5e5 fellow officers turn right and 1f90eef2bb headed down the opposite alley. It felt more 4a38b4f5a4 like herding desperate e419d7c4ed wild animals into 218b196261 one place than c74b3456cc chasing people.9edda4c4ae58c826

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“Officer Lee, come around the side!”50845e308abd128e

“Be careful!”1530a141dbd1b880

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Haejoo trusted Yena, who was quick on her feet. Her dream of joining the police special forces after gaining enough experience wasn’t just talk. She moved through the city like a top predator, scaling walls and crossing streets. Haejoo marveled at Yena’s agility and chased the kids straight toward her.d7282d1f0c3eff43

In the darkness, Yena 852be197f7 suddenly appeared and took 2c9aa49f29 down a fleeing student 71ea7a62e6 with a knee to 1d2f5e8c4e the back.e0590405f32cb599

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“Argh!”7972637cbedc5066

The male student screamed 56b45e9e13 and fell forward. He struggled wildly, but 45a8bef696 Yena had a firm d474bee765 grip on his arms, 8e17d514d6 leaving him no chance a61524ce80 to escape.cf7efae7227bfc7a

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“Hey! Let go! I’m the second in my class at Gunjeong Autonomous High School! The police can’t hit people! I’m telling my dad! I’ll sue you! Let go! This is excessive force! Guys! Where’s your phone? Record all of this! Hey!”7434f9fef3d8edd2

“You said it yourself. Let’s tell your dad right away. Let’s show him how much fun his second-in-class son is having. Where’d you get the drugs? Online? We’ve got it all on the body cam. We’ll show it to your dad just like that. But… Officer Choi… should we cuff the kid?”4f4af1a5df7fd0b4

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Haejoo sighed, looking at the boy’s sorry state.1667ccdf7909e102

“Well… he’s just a kid. Let’s take him as he is.”b1529ba8f13c2cb1

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“Officer Choi, behind you!”3812e399116cc295

When Haejoo turned c8d89287dd around, another student 870cca5061 was standing there. He had spotted his 5198ea10b4 friend being arrested and 2daa0651ed looked at the police a159e12382 with a pale, sweaty be17f0e9a1 face. Just before the student could 3b6837377d run, Haejoo met his eyes.a7adda67a2434a35

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Under the streetlight, his dark c05f78202a eyes faintly glimmered. In them were fear, confusion, 74ec6b57e8 regret, and anger. Just meeting his eyes 0038d51abc made Haejoo feel as 4ba1e0ae18 if he were the 27e73f559e one being chased, like a8f4ac2ecd a person blinded by f9db94e39d a flash of light.1cbc14ea1f7fb489

No, I can’t do this now. What am I doing, acting like a fool? I can’t do this now. I’m scared.4888363a9fe8f899

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Haejoo scolded himself, 228abf4afc but his emotions 4706f4fc9d and trauma came 938420f5f2 unbidden. He hated being looked 95574d1d9d at by others. Sometimes, it was terrifying. Hearing voices and seeing expressions 61b58a0573 were uncomfortable, but nothing was 90f1c5202e as frightening as a gaze. A gaze held so many 49fb0a294d stories.c8b276fa55f06800

Humans are social animals. We’ve evolved to read nonverbal signals like gazes, voices, and expressions. Haejoo’s senses for accepting or interpreting nonverbal cues were overly sensitive. It was like a high-performance receiver picking up all sorts of frequencies, even foreign languages from distant lands, constantly malfunctioning because it couldn’t tune into the desired broadcast.4df87559ea4af208

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A social worker who f5ca44c1a1 had counseled Haejoo since 4354188da8 childhood said:56bace5c3e24c6c4

“The people who raised you when you were young were all immature adults. They were really bad people, weren’t they? Do you know what kids do to live with such adults? That’s right. They watch for signs. They try to please them. You said you did that too, trying to please your teachers to avoid punishment.”c388d84c169af4e9

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The social worker looked at 4f43ee018b Haejoo with a thoughtful and e6e00fd5e2 empathetic gaze.ccc6d8d6c484c00b

“But the saddest part is that children learn especially quickly. They learn both good and bad things fast and remember them for a long time. The fact that you sense so much from people’s gazes and tones is a habit young Haejoo practiced hard to survive adult abuse. I know that the habits from your childhood aren’t necessary now. That’s why it’s uncomfortable. Still, don’t hate Choi Haejoo, who tried so hard to protect himself.”76701dc052e8812a

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Haejoo trusted her like family but thought her words were false. The habits my body learned are useless. Even at this age, I can’t escape old memories. I’m weak, useless. I need to be more mature, more responsible, someone who can live alone properly.b57c63f5e9c1a70e

After hesitating for a da3a29cf8c moment, Haejoo quickly moved 397911b5e9 to chase the student.7eca58e209f19e1f

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⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎3a6ff86b27254579

The boy’s stamina was at its limit. It felt like his lungs were tearing apart. He wanted to lie down on the ground immediately. But the police were closing in. It was Choi Haejoo.d415e92d7b70d6a6

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The boy’s appearance, even in the dim light, didn’t seem ordinary. Could you even call him a boy? The student looked like an old man on the verge of collapse or a walking corpse. His skin was dry as if all moisture had been drained, and the sunken contours of his cheekbones cast eerie shadows on his face.739a35a320a458c6

Haejoo was amazed that the 54470f2e21 student had managed to run a8a14314f7 this far in such a c55088a0b6 state. The boy, staggering and 59562b52c8 unable to maintain his 003e3be748 balance, reached into his a7d244256c coat pocket. What he pulled out f85fc1e96e was a silver knife. The student, hands 81e0f51084 trembling, pointed the 670d176d2c hiking knife at 32fee4a7fe Haejoo.e6549c651896f784

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“D-don’t come any closer. I only got involved because Yujin suggested it. It’s not my fault. I didn’t do anything wrong.”a4b45029ccd0487d

“…Let’s just go together. I won’t do anything bad to you. I’m just a civil servant. All I can do is take you in and listen to your story. I’ll hear everything about this Yujin too.”1ee52576baf0d2ba

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Haejoo cautiously tried to 1d61ef6435 persuade him, keeping his c29ff19315 distance.e3a0eef18aa9df42

“You’re tired and exhausted, right? It’s okay to rest. I’ll help you rest well. I’ll listen to your story after that. I don’t think you got involved with drugs because you wanted to. It’s dangerous and strange. You must have been struggling so much that you couldn’t endure without it. I understand. I really do. I don’t have parents either. I was bullied at school and had no friends. You know how cruel kids can be to each other. I was always depressed. I get it, really. If you’re scared of your family finding out, I’ll help you explain it to them. That’s what we do.”03e61d9391fef273

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The boy felt the sincerity in the officer’s words. This situation felt foolish, and he was gradually losing the will to resist. Haejoo twisted the boy’s arm holding the knife and knocked the weapon away. The student lay on the ground, crying. He muttered softly, “Mom, mom.”a47826c0ccbd14b6

Haejoo bent down to 42a04363bb help the student up.f119aa1bcbde304e

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“You’ve been through a lot. I won’t cuff you. It’s already dawn. Let’s go to the station and rest, then we’ll talk…”bbe286c5a86776a2