Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

Muelsyse was operating the Pathfinder drone to water the ecological park. This particular Pathfinder had just been returned by Felix two days ago after undergoing a module upgrade. As Felix's understanding of mechanical engineering deepened, the additional modules he crafted allowed the Pathfinder to carry out Muelsyse's instructions with greater speed and precision.

"So boring."

Christmas was approaching, but at Rhine Lab, everything continued as usual. The only noticeable difference was the pile of gifts at the front desk these past few days—mostly products or invitations sent by venture capital firms and the Maylander Foundation, inviting Rhine Lab to attend various dances or networking events.

Christmases in the past had been no different. It was during one such Christmas that Felix joined Rhine Lab. Although that year he wasn't present—traveling instead through the distant Yan Country—Muelsyse hadn't felt lonely.

Before Christmas, she, Kristen, Saria, and Yara would often spend more time together. Back then, Rhine Lab was still in its early stages. Muelsyse had joined the organization at Yara's recommendation, becoming an ecologist. What had that first Christmas been like? They ate pizza, watched Colombian TV dramas with Kristen and Saria, and discussed reports late into the night.

Muelsyse still remembered those days vividly.

When her parents first came into contact with modern civilization, they unfortunately contracted Oripathy—something to which elves were particularly vulnerable. Once infected, an elf's body deteriorated rapidly, usually within a month. Aware of their fate, her parents sent Muelsyse away to live in a remote village far from the city, while they returned to the sacred grounds of the elf tribe and quietly passed away.

It wasn't something she could share with others. There was no one like her. In a way, Muelsyse was just like Kristen—a loner.

To uncover the truth behind her origins, she could only cling to the unknown pursuit of knowledge. In Columbia, scientific research offered the best chance to change one's destiny. She studied hard and remained a top student in her class.

Beyond her studies, she worked to integrate herself into modern life. Muelsyse often relied on social interactions to solve problems—that was her greatest strength. Fashion, games, entertainment, literature, music, dance... She didn't explore them out of interest, but out of necessity—for understanding.

It wasn't about passion. It was a mission. An exploration. A trial of self.

As a lone traveler, Muelsyse had one simple goal: If elves are destined to die once infected by Oripathy, then she must live earnestly until that day comes.

Logically, elves could choose to avoid society altogether, retreating into remote forests where Originium exposure was minimal. There, they could easily live a hundred years. But were they willing to do that? The vibrant life of Terra's society was too alluring. Even immortals were willing to risk their lives for a taste of it.

This too reflected Muelsyse's inner voice. Even though she knew her parents died because they immersed themselves in society—even though she knew she might be following the same path—she couldn't bring herself to abandon the life she had now. She longed for a simple life. An ordinary life.

Kristen was a loner.

After Felix joined Rhine Lab, Muelsyse took notice of this Sankta. Typical Sankta were carefree and romantic—lively and energetic. In the Holy City of Laterano, they spent their days enjoying desserts and firearms, laughing as if they'd never known sorrow.

But Felix was different. Most of the time, he worked alone in the studio, quietly forging metal, eyes glowing as he sketched blueprints... It was as if something was always chasing him—or perhaps he was chasing something himself. His smile and his words were like weapons, yet they gave Muelsyse the same sense of reliability that Saria did.

What was the real Felix like beneath that smiling mask?

Someone once said of the Sankta race:

"If you live in heaven, why would you not love heaven? They are simply protecting their own lives."

Yet many still left that paradise, walked the earth, and fought for their ideals.

Felix was one of them.

The isolated Sankta, turning their backs on the holy city of Laterano, walk alone down their own paths—carrying within them a deep, unwavering love for their country and their people.

Felix was no exception. He, too, was a loner.

Muelsyse had clearly seen the compassion in his eyes for the Infected, the scorn in his voice when speaking of persecution, and the cold indifference he held for those who perpetuated it.

A journey often reveals a person's true nature. Felix's vision, his attitude, and his actions had quietly told Muelsyse exactly who he was.

She stifled a yawn. Now that today's watering task was complete, it was time to refocus on her thesis. With Felix currently in Trimount and herself buried in research, it wasn't convenient to control her water clone to visit. Instead, her attention was fixed on finding plants capable of surviving and thriving in this bleak, lightless land.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, one day, this land could be blanketed in green, bursting with life and color?

After working for several hours, Muelsyse noticed a notification pop up on her terminal. It was an email from Yara, sent to all active researchers at Rhine Lab, announcing a two-day holiday on Christmas Eve (the 25th) and Christmas Day (the 26th).

"Hey hey hey, what's this?" Muelsyse's eyes widened. There hadn't been any days off last year. Or rather, while Rhine Lab officially observed holidays, most researchers barely acknowledged them, choosing instead to work through them with unwavering passion for their fields.

But this time, Yara had explicitly stated that the institute would be closed on both the 25th and 26th. Unless there was an emergency—like the watering and care of Muelsyse's plants—every researcher was required to take both days off.

"It must be the holiday Felix requested…"

The realization dawned on her, and the corners of her mouth lifted in amusement as she spun slowly around in her chair. Well… even though she loved caring for plants, taking a break for two days didn't sound so bad.

---

Ferdinand pressed his fingers to his forehead as he hurried toward Saria, who was dressed in a protective suit. His tone was one of irritation as he muttered, "I don't know what Yara's thinking, but suspending our work at such a critical moment—what if our partners are left waiting?"

"Ferdinand, how long has it been since you last rested?" Saria asked calmly.

"Huh? Do I really need a break?" Ferdinand replied, perplexed.

"You're too impatient, Ferdinand." Saria closed her eyes slightly, Felix's demeanor and words replaying in her mind. "As scientists and researchers, we must remain grounded and connected to society if we hope to achieve meaningful results. If we become too detached, we're just amusing ourselves in some ivory tower."

"You…"

Ferdinand opened his mouth to argue, but couldn't. His passion for Rhine Lab had driven him to give 120% from the moment he joined, pouring his energy into every project and request. Yet deep down, he knew Saria was right.

He believed it—perhaps too instinctively to admit it aloud.

"Ferdinand, the dark circles under your eyes are awful," Saria said with a slight frown. "Didn't you just get married?"

Ferdinand parted his lips again, then gave a light cough. "I lost my composure."

"Merry Christmas," Saria said coolly.

Ferdinand grumbled, "Enjoy yourselves," before turning and walking away.

After adjusting her uniform, Saria began heading down the corridor toward Kristen's office. As she passed by a window, she paused and glanced outside. Snow was falling—Columbia's usual winter beauty. She wondered whether Muelsyse's ecological park was affected. She would need to check the heating systems later. The last thing she wanted was to see Muelsyse crying in front of her again.

Seeing the snowfall, Saria couldn't help but recall her college days—a time that made her feel genuinely happy and warm from the bottom of her heart. Back then, she and Kristen would always head to the snowy playground to have snowball fights. Before they started, Kristen would insist on one rule: no Originium Arts allowed. Saria could still remember the way she would pout while declaring it.

In many ways, Kristen and I really owe Felix a lot. His arrival had brought new vitality to Rhine Lab—along with the simple, sincere charm of the Sankta people: things like holidays and sweets in the cafeteria. Though Saria never said it aloud, she acknowledged Felix's presence as that of a true companion… She admired him, and felt fortunate to walk alongside him toward an unknown future.

"Kristen, is the work done?"

"Mm... Just about," Kristen replied.

Her expression was calm and distant as she worked—an image of the perfect ice-cold beauty guided only by logic and reason. As the director of Rhine Lab, everything she did had to be weighed with the company's interests in mind.

Saria stood nearby, gazing out the window. In the atrium below, she saw Ferdinand and several researchers taking a short break. She also spotted Snowsant, a new assistant who had joined Rhine Lab just a few months ago, hurrying back inside after school.

"——All done~"

Finishing her work, Kristen let out a soft sigh. It wasn't a sigh of relief—she genuinely enjoyed her job. She loved having time to think, to plan, and to spend with other researchers. She stretched, then moved to stand beside Saria, looking out at the snow-covered landscape. "So... Saria, what are your plans for the Christmas holiday?"

"You're asking me?"

"Of course. Because I want to spend Christmas with you," Kristen said with a smile. "Didn't we always spend Christmas together back in college?"

"We did."

"Then how about this—sleep in, visit a café, watch a movie, and end the day at a bar?"

That three-part routine was the classic way Trimount college students spent their holidays. Kristen and Saria, once students themselves, had celebrated the same way many times before.

"I wonder if Old John's is still open."

Saria gave a light cough. "It is. I visited not long ago."

"That's good to hear."

At that moment, Kristen returned to her workstation and began typing on her terminal. Curious, Saria glanced over and noticed she was composing a message to Yara.

"Hmm... Felix wasn't around last year, so he has to attend this year's New Year's Eve party," Kristen said with a faint smile.

Saria nodded silently.

Ten minutes later, after wrapping up the last of their tasks, Kristen draped a scarf around her neck and left Rhine Lab with Saria, who also slipped on her coat. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Both of them looked forward to enjoying this hard-earned break—to savoring a holiday that reminded them of simpler, student days.

---

Mandragora rubbed her face, flushed red from the cold. On days like this, riding a bicycle was out of the question—the roads were too slippery, and a fall was all too easy. So, she delivered newspapers on foot. She couldn't help but envy her older colleagues, who could ride motorbikes. But at her age, she still wasn't eligible for a driver's license.

Although her face was a little red from the cold, Mandragora was bundled up tightly, looking like a cozy little plush toy. Wearing high, warm boots, she trudged through the streets delivering newspapers. From time to time, when she grew tired, she would pause to take a sip from the kettle she carried with her.

She wanted to train her stamina. A teacher at school had told her that as a Caster, maintaining physical endurance during combat was essential. The most effective fighting technique was to cast spells while on the move, which demanded a great deal of physical strength. Mandragora didn't want stamina to be her weakness. If Senomi would one day become Brother Felix's sword, and Susie his logistics officer, then Mandragora hoped to become his strategist.

Letting out a warm breath that turned to mist in the air, Mandragora looked up at the pale gray-blue sky. The color here was just like the sky back in Oak Grove County. In the past, she would look up at that same sky while holding her mother's hand and asking questions with a collection of Victorian poems clutched in her arms. Christmas had always been the happiest day of the year for her. Even in bitter, dark times, she could still look forward to a Christmas present—because she had been a good child.

Christmas was also one of the few times each year that the Tara people could eat meat.

Feeling a wave of longing for Oak Grove, Mandragora pursed her lips. Not every name from Tara was recorded in the mausoleum. Only a few simple gravestones remained, roughly inscribed to mark the fire that had taken nearly all their lives.

She gave her head a gentle shake, pushing the thoughts away, and stepped into a small shop.

"Hey, it's little Mandragora. Why are you out so late?" The warm-hearted shopkeeper, Aunt Susan, peeked out from behind the counter with a smile. "If you get home too late, your family will worry."

"I want to buy Christmas presents," Mandragora murmured. "But I don't know what to get. Could Aunt Susan recommend something for me?"

Aunt Susan's eyebrows lifted with interest. She stepped out from behind the counter and asked, "Who are you buying a present for, little Mandragora?"

"Um... my best friends, the sisters who took care of me, and..."

"And who else?"

Noticing the faint blush on Mandragora's cheeks, Susan chuckled warmly. "Is there someone little Mandragora likes?"

Mandragora blinked her dark golden eyes and buried half her face into her scarf to hide the deepening blush. She gave a soft, embarrassed hum in reply.