Chapter 10: The Leaf Village
Everything was perfectly programmed inside.
Towering wooden houses and charming shops lined the many winding alleys of the Leaf Village. While villagers bustled cheerfully about their daily tasks, children chased each other with joyous shrieks and laughter.
Arthur felt sick to his stomach.
Everything was so manufactured. The staged movements and flawless smiles gave the impression that they were a cheap replica of life, a carefully planned theme park.
These people—these villagers, he remembered dimly—weren't living; they existed within a simulation. Their existence—their happiness—was for the sick amusement of others.
Not a single person appeared familiar. Furthermore, it was still unclear where the other players were.
The villagers' smiles felt like painted masks, and he ignored their greetings. Instead, he made the decision to investigate in an effort to comprehend the extent of Elysium's creation.
The academy was the first landmark he saw. Most people would feel nostalgic, but Arthur felt a chilly dread. These young kids were practicing weapons that would eventually be destroyed in combat.
There was a dango shop across the street. The air was filled with the aroma of delicious dumplings. If he hadn't known better, his mouth would have been watering. He paused to watch fat families with their children gobble up their treats.
He noticed something new farther down the street: a building with painted posters emblazoned on the front. Curious, he went over.
A movie was playing, as evidenced by the LED lights flashing inside the real theater. One of the posters featured a stunning woman named "Princess Fūn."