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With the official statement from the system, I was proven to be right. That didn't make me happy though, as it confirmed that death was real in this "game".

"We should focus on the task at hand. The system didn't just tell us that death is real but that new players may join us. So I think we should just focus on the mission and wait for updates on Earth when a new player joins. I think everyone should find that acceptable? Good. Now let's finally meet the bartender."

The group walked up to the bar and got a better look at him. He was well-built but it clearly wasn't for show. I could see numerous scars, large and small, on his arms and hands. He also exuded a faint pressure like a warrior after much bloodshed. It was very toned-down however, I was unsure if he was controlling it or if it faded away with time. Either way, he wasn't to be messed with.

Thinking about the best thing to ask, I decided to skip the formalities and raise the question, "What can you tell us about the war?"

(Tuba, you can also be npcs if you want. Being the system probably doesn't have as many opportunities to appear compared to players.)

After hearing her words, I couldn't help but think we had a second nuke guy on our hands.

I sighed and said, "First point, there shouldn't be any way to contact Earth. The only method would be through the system and I don't think the system would approve or allow that. Second point, while I doubt the existence of the dark ones, I'll assume they exist for my argument. If Earth cannot fend against these dark ones, what are we, some rag-tag group supposed to do? They can trample a planet without spending an ounce of effort. Third point, we were "summoned" to solve a problem of a war between countries. We cannot leave this simulation without solving the problem and I don't want to test what happens if we die."

"System, I know you're listening. Can you confirm what I just said?"

(texascann, I appreciate you trying to add on to the story but it's best we don't make too many radical changes. Tuba created a plot for the story and while it's pretty open-ended with what we can do like how gear gave herself some guns (although limited in use), we shouldn't flip the whole thing on it's head but stick to the established setting. We were all summoned into this simulation. In this world, it seems kind of medieval with wars between countries. Our goal in this simulation is to end the war and create peace between the countries somehow. We just started so we don't know too much about the world. And to keep things more balanced and sustainable, we should keep our skills realistic. Let's have fun exploring whatever world this is!)

I looked at the person who kept quiet all this time. 'How would news from Earth help us now?' But despite my doubts, I kept quiet and gestured to let speak.

(Got it, just fleshing out the details. Tuba can guide the story or join as an npc if he wants. I'll be focusing on details and such. Of course, anyone can add details or negotiate on ideas.)

'Lady? Gear? What strange choices for names...'

I looked at her inquisitively but failed to gather anything from her expression. Her names gave no clues either. She wasn't simple. I didn't think about it before but by setting the standard for introductions low, I cut off my own ability to gather information. But there was a whole journey ahead of us to do so, so I wasn't too worried.

Then I saw her checking out her cloak. She might have thought she was being sneaky but I had my eyes on everything at all times. Even then though, I couldn't see much. But when I spotted a piece of metal, I froze and quickly averted my eyes. I looked back at her and don't think she saw my glance. I had to calm down before thinking about what I just saw.

The metal had the indisputable shape of a gun. From it's make and construction as well as the approximate time period we seem to be in, I determined it to be a rudimentary pistol that would most likely would turn to scrap after a few shots. But all she needed was one well-aimed shot to kill someone. I suppose it was compensation for being female. I decided to be a little more careful about my actions around her.

Looking at the others around me, I don't think they saw the gun and I planned to keep them in the dark. It wouldn't be worth it to offend uh... Lady Gear over it.

(I'll let you have your guns but I nerfed them by letting them only shoot a few times before you won't be able to use them anymore. You can still have two of them though. And you can interpret "few" however you want. I would recommend 3-5 shots per gun.)

'A crazy one has arrived...'

I wanted to wait until most of the players arrived before interacting with them. Who knows who would have showed up and what kind of conflicts would occur. I might have come off as unsociable but it's a small price to pay and one can never be too cautious, especially in a place like this. But since a crazy guy showed up and I didn't know if anyone else would be summoned, I decided to greet the other players.

I moved to the other table where the other players were, naturally ignoring the nuke guy. "Hello, it seems we're all in the same situation. According to the system, we were all summoned to this world with the purpose of saving it." I looked at the other players in the eyes, looking for any reaction. Who knew if the system gave them another missions such as 'kill the other players'. I'm not exactly sure I trust the system. It could be god trying to find another source of entertainment and I'm not trying to get caught up in it. It does make me feel special though.

The other players didn't show too much of a reaction. They merely nodded or said something about gifting this world some explosions- wait. Why am I paying attention to this guy? He's definitely a chuuni or has some mental illness, perhaps a side effect of being summoned? Or... he could be faking it as to let our guard down. How devious. I'll be keeping an eye on you nuke guy.

"Players don't seem to be showing up anymore so we're it or the system may summon a few other players as we go. It may seem unfair to us but I think it's an advantage that we use to get stronger in case anything happens. I feel like I can trust you guys."

Naturally, I didn't trust them at all. Not until they show me I can.

“Confirm.” I answered from within the system space. A soft light gradually enveloped me as my surroundings started to change. Materializing in front of me was the warm inside of what looked to be a tavern. I looked around the dozens of tables and didn’t spot anyone.

‘I guess I must be the first one here’.

I looked to the bar and standing there was a well-kept, broad-shouldered man with a handlebar mustache cleaning the inside of a mug. He met my glance with a nod and continued working.

Without anything else to look at, I looked down at myself. I was wearing a dark cloak with leather gear under it and a pair of sharp, iron daggers at my waist. I also had a vial of poison hidden in an easy to access pocket. I was a rogue.

Once I had a good grasp of my situation, I decided to ponder on the story the system introduced while waiting for other players to join.

Some should start, not me though.

No reward. There is no honor, no merit, no accomplishment. Just meaningless pride. But the competition is much more lax now. I’m just coming here to chat really.

I see.

I think we killed the thread with our role playing.

I just like to play around, doing whatever is fun.

It is an interesting concept, a tsundere senpai. I was trying make it seem like your appreciation made me happy but I pretended I was in a good mood for a different reason. And I used that excuse to do something for you but treat it as a favor from a senpai to a sad kouhai. And those last lines about telling you not to think too deeply on my intentions were just a curtain to hide my embarrassment for doing all this.

MaxwellKHA What do you mean? I think I’m playing a tsundere quite well. I assumed I was the kouhai but Tuba called me senpai so I tried to be a bit more authoritive.

Hmph, it goes without saying that you should appreciate it. It’s not everyday someone like me does this even as an accident! But since you liked it so much and I happen to be in a good mood today... I’ll like your comment on purpose. And this has no other meaning so you better not get any ideas that it’s otherwise in that little head of yours, you hear me?!

Only one novel can survive. The rest get sent to purgatory, usually never to be seen again. And if they do, it would only be many months later in another revival match with other popular unchosen novels, with only one coming out on top. And the revival round has only happened once in the half year the trial novel system came out, and it happened not too long ago. Maybe a few weeks ago. An exception would be Almighty Video Game Designer which was picked up by a translator because they wanted to translate it even without getting paid.

Ah, I misclicked and accidentally liked your comment. It wasn’t because I saw you were sad or anything, b-baka!